Final Baby Bump Post - Almost 9 Months

Almost Nine Months....and it is all coming to an end, at least the being pregnant part. I am definitely stretched to the max, and I am glad that we are delivering a week early, although I am not excited about a c-section. Everything has been progressing normally except for her not dropping and turning, so I am very thankful for that. Jason and I still can't believe how fast time has gone by! Ready or not, she is going to be in our arms this week, and two will become three :)

We are scared and excited all at the same time. It is amazing how much one can worry about someone that you have never met or even seen. I told Jason that I would give one of my limbs for her to be perfect...not sure I have ever felt that way about anyone before. As it gets closer and closer it is amazing to me how helpful it is when Jason will just grab my hand or tummy and say a prayer. He has helped so much in the last few weeks to relieve my worry and stress. We pray constantly that she is healthy and know that no matter the outcome God has blessed us with an amazing gift of life that he created just for us. I was reminded of that today...while driving and one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns came on the radio and I cranked it up. Aleah immediately began jumping around in my tummy...reminding me she is okay...and that she loves Casting Crowns haha! I am not surprised .It was one of the first concerts that I took her too :) I'm pretty sure that it was also God reminding me of who is in control and that he will never give us more than we can handle.

 

A good friend of ours Lindsay Brubaker (wife of Jason's best friend Ben) came over to capture some pictures of us in our last weeks of being pregnant. She is dabbling in photography and I think she is off to a really good start! These are some of my favorites...

 

 

As I look back on almost 40 weeks of pregnancy I thought I would make a list of things that I will miss about being pregnant and things that I will NOT miss. I asked Jason the same thing, so he had some input in this list as well

 

Things I will miss...

 

The excuse to eat WHATEVER I want :)

 

People letting me cut in line at the grocery store

 

People always offering me their seat or chair

 

The first time I felt her kick

 

The nice and big perky boobs (Jason)

 

Always a reason to go out to eat or do something because we won't be able to once she is born (Jason)

 

My fast growing and thicker hair

 

SLEEP...knowing she won't let me for a while :)

 

Watching my tummy move

 

 

 

 

Things I will NOT miss...

 

Not being able to eat WHATEVER I want (lunch meat, Blue Cheese, Sushi..etc)

 

Complete strangers telling me their graphic delivery story in the middle of the grocery store

 

The woman next to me while getting a pedicure asking me a million questions from what her name is...or if I am going to use disposable diapers...really?

 

Bigger boobs (sorry Jason)

 

Sleeping on my side (I'm a back sleeper)

 

The guy that rubbed my belly at a wedding... no clue who he was! Is it ever OK to touch a woman in the mid section that you don't know? NEVER!!!

 

Complete strangers telling me how my pregnancy will be!

 

Seeing or being able to reach my feet!

 

Walking into a room and everyone looks at your belly..weird but everyone does it! Haha

 

My neediness and mood swings...(Jason) I think I have been completely normal :)

 

The constant depleting wardrobe...I miss my skinny jeans!!!

 

Her hiccups (Sorry Aleah)

 

Heartburn

 

 

 

Although my WILL NOT miss list is longer...I have to say that being pregnant has been one of the most amazing and enjoyable experiences that I have had in my life. Although I know that my body has been changed forever and will take some work to get it back into shape, I cannot imagine that any of that will matter once I hold her in my arms for the first time. Jason and I know that life as we know it is about to change forever, but we know that the changes and sacrifices that we will make, will all be for the better. I know that Aleah will teach us so much about life, each other, and what is important...and she hasn't even taken her first breath yet.

We already thank God for her and the amazing plans he has for all three of us!

 

So...this Friday October 12, 2012 around 10:30am, we will welcome our baby girl Aleah Marie into the world.. she hase no idea how much she is already loved.

 

Jason and I will begin the next journey in this crazy life together...

as Mommy and Daddy...

 

Let the next chapter begin...

 

 

 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

 

Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Months!!!

 

8 months and it shows! This month has been VERY busy...pretty much like the rest. Have I really been pregnant 8 months? Where does time go? I am still feeling good, but definitely struggle to do things that used to be easy, like tie my shoes and pick things up off the floor. Getting dressed is sometimes a chore too!

 

Aleah is very active these days..kicking and turning inside of me. She has a strong heartbeat and is developing at a perfect rate. She has unfortunately taken after both of her parents and has become set in her ways and VERY stubborn. She is still breech! This past Monday my doctor decided to schedule a c-section, so Aleah will be arriving on October 12th at 10:30 am. Although I do not want to have a c-section, I just want her to get here in the safest way possible.

 

One good thing about her being breech is that I get to see her every week now till she is born. This is her latest picture! She is laying on her side. I can't wait to see her in person!!!

 

 

We were so blessed to have two showers this month! We got so many gifts for our baby girl! Here are a few pictures from each of them.

 

 

Jason and his Nephews even got in on the fun :)

 

 

 

Thank you to all of our family and friends for all you have done!

 

I will make one more post the day before she is born...can't believe that is only 16 days away!!!

I am so excited...nervous...scared...anxious...happy...pretty much every emotion you can possibly think of! Funny how that is how I felt when I saw a positive test, and now again at the end :)

 

 

 

 

Nursery Complete!!!

With only 7 weeks to go and a crazy busy schedule ahead of us...we finally finished the nursery! When we found out we were having a girl, I knew that I wanted a nursery that would grow with her and one that also didn't kill Jason when he walked into it...he is not a fan of pink :) Everything in the stores that I saw was VERY girly and mostly made of pastel pink. So I decided to find a fabric I loved and use it as a starting point to design the whole room around. I found this adorable vintage fabric at fabric.com and then I went to work with my sewing machine and searching pinterest for ideas. I love the little birds in the fabric, so you will see that become a theme...

 

First we had to get the "bones" of the room, so we purchased a crib, and I went off to a garage sale to find a changing table. I found this one for $20!!! I was thrilled!!

 

 

Of Course I couldn't leave it white...I had to paint it to match the crib. Thankfully the hubs has a connection with this amazing company called Sherwin Williams, and I got to painting with some of the BEST paint I have ever used.

 

The primer is AMAZING!!! NO SANDING!!!

 

Turned out great and pretty amazing for $20! I love that it is more of a dresser too! Makes it so much more functional!

 

 

With my cute fabric, I sewed a changing pad cover (as you see, I don't have the changing pad yet). I decided I wanted some artwork above the table. I rummaged through some things I had a had at home and decided to paint one of my favorite verses on this canvas. To add some texture I wrapped the canvas in burlap, stencilled and painted the letters and then made some fabric flowers with scraps I already had. Total cost $5.00 for canvas! Looks much brighter in person :)

 

 

I had this REALLY dirty and nasty antique ladder in the attic that the hubby has been wanting to throw away, so I decided to put it to use, before it "disappeared" one day. Using my AWESOME leftover Sherwin Williams paint, I gave it a fresh new look, and propped it up in the corner with blankets from my childhood that were made for me when I was a baby. Plus it was FREE!!!

 

 

Every Nursery needs a rocker...I inherited mine from my Grandma who passed away this summer. I love that I have a piece of her in our nursery. She would be so happy to know that I will be using it, and I am so sad that she will never meet my daughter. She was so excited that I was having a baby...sometimes I go in the room and just smell the fabric...it still smells like her house and wish I could bottle that scent up forever. On the shelf above (which I already had and of course painted) I re framed an ABC cross stitch that I had done when I was a girl, a piggy bank that Jason's Mom gave us from when she was a baby, and a bunny that my Mom had purchased.

 

 

I also sewed a pillow with her first initial on it with some scrap fabric I had...

 

 

I had an empty space on the wall by the closet (can't have that!!!) So I decided to once again rummage through some things I had to create some artwork. I got my inspiration from a blogger on Pinterest here. So with two 12 X 12 canvas's I had and some scrapbook paper, I created some simple but cute pictures. They are hung to the right of the curtains.

 

 

 

I sewed some curtains to add a pop of color. I would refer to a pattern, but I didn't use one...just eyeballed it.

 

Anyone who does NOT know her name yet...here is the BIG reveal!!!

ALEAH MARIE

 

 

For her name, I wrapped 8X10 frames with fabric, and painted wood letters from Hobby Lobby and hot glued them on. I added some fabric flowers too! I also sewed a crib sheet out of the fabric I found. The pattern I found is on pinterest HERE, and I will never purchase one again...it is sew easy!!!

 

My Mom and I made the mobile above her crib out of felt and a twig wreath. It turned out so cute!

 

 

I have seen many uses for old pallets that I loved on pinterest. One in particular for a kids rooms. This ONE is the link that I gave my father and he got to work building and painting them. He did a great job and they turned out great (and FREE)! I love how they are attached to the wall and leave the floor space open for toys of course!!! I then purchased cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby and painted them to remind our little scholar that she must READ :)

 

 

 

I went to town organizing her closet. Since our closets don't have lights, I purchased an LED battery powered light that attaches with command strips. I found it at Walmart. I also found the baskets and labels at Walmart. I thought I should label everything good so that the hubby could find everything he needed. As you see, we have a lot of clothes already! Thanks to some amazing friends and family!

 

 

Overall, I think that the room turned out really cute and I love that most of it was handmade by me and family. I know this room will grow with her and since everything was made on a budget the hubby even loves it and it isn't all pastel pink!! There are a few things I still need to add, but they are small....I think we are ready!!! ...well at least her room is :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Weeks!!! Only 9 More Weeks To Go!

Well I cannot believe how fast time is going by!!! Only nine more weeks and our baby girl will be here! According to the average numbers, she weighs about 3.3 pounds and is 16 inches long. Needless to say I am feeling the stretch! I am still feeling amazingly great! I get a little more tired if I am on my feet for a long period of time and sometimes it is hard to get comfortable when I am trying to fall asleep due to her constant kicking. I love feeling her move all the time. It is a constant reminder that she is active and healthy. I am not a huge over eater, but I have noticed that I get fuller faster. Lets just face it, there is not enough room in there for everything like there used to be! Like her father (hehe), she is being a little stubborn and not turning like she should so we are praying she flips in the next upcoming weeks.

On another note...I could have titled this post "From the crazy mind of a pregnant woman!!!" My mind is constantly racing with ideas, thoughts, worries, and anticipation...and don't even get me started on the dreams I have at night! Most of the time I wake up and shake my head in disbelief...not sharing them with Jason, afraid he may think I have totally lost my mind! HA!

As delivery gets closer, my latest thoughts have been how amazing God is that he can create a human being in such a short amount of time, and with every kick I am reminded that she is getting bigger and bigger and she must come out! I have literally pondered how such an amazing and beautiful journey has to end with such gruesome and painful event (For her, Jason and mostly ME)...oh ya...that lovely lady named EVE!!! When my mind goes to this place I am reminded that God is watching over all of us and millions women have done this before me, and some of them much younger and wimpier than me! Ha! Thankfully I have done my best to stay in shape and the Doc says that will help a lot...and of course some pain meds :) I am not trying to be Super Woman in that delivery room! There are no Gold Medals waiting for me if I choose to go med free...so I am not opposed!

I have also been NESTING, NESTING, NESTING!!! I have organized almost every room in our house and I will be done with the babies room very soon! So stay tuned!!!

Jason has really been such a trooper through everything and prays for the baby constantly. He such a good provider, helper, listener to my constant ramblings, and tells me how beautiful I am...even though I feel like a blimp and wonder if I will ever look like me again! I was doing one of my ramblings the other night, telling him I am worried about him feeling overwhelmed and lack of sleep and how this adjustment is going to be hard on him, and he simply looked at me and said...all guys with kids go through it...I will be fine. Even though he has never changed a diaper, I am so blessed to have such a level headed husband who is realistic about things to come!

A couple months ago I told him I wanted him to pick out her going home outfit. He went to Carter all by himself and picked out something he loved...and I think it is totally adorable! I can only imagine how overwhelmed he was walking around that place! I love it! Notice it is NOT pink! haha! (I do have cute headband I got to go with it too)

My parents got the baby a onsie, socks, and a teddy bear! If you can't tell, Jason LOVED them!

This week I also turned 34! Yikes!!! Getting older is not fun, but I feel like life is just about to start in a new way for me! Jason and all our Rochester crew threw me a surprise birthday cookout and celebration and I had a blast. Jason spoiled me as well, with jewelry and Bath and Body goodies!

I am looking forward to this upcoming year....I am sure that it will go faster than this one!!!

SIx Months (About 28 Weeks)

Here I am at about six months! Only twelve weeks to go! Our baby girl is growing like crazy! She is already over 2 pounds and over 14 inches long.... and it shows! I am stretching and stretching! She moves all of the time and Jason has finally been able to feel her kick and even see her move through my tummy one night when she was very active. Amazingly enough I still feel really good! I have managed to stay on track with exercising 4-5 days a week, and I think that has helped me a lot.

 I cannot believe how fast time is going by. When I think back six months ago it is amazing to me how our little girl has already changed me so much. My thoughts have gone from what will we do this weekend?...what kind of wine should I order with dinner?...where should we go on out next vacations? To now worrying about what kind of diapers should I buy? What kind of car seat should we get? Will I get stretch Marks? Can I make through delivery? Will I tear? What will she look like? Will she be healthy? What will it be like when we bring her home? Will we ever sleep normal again? ...and those are only a few of the thoughts that I have! HA!

Jason and I have had so much going on this past month...My grandma passed away, and I spent a weekend in Iowa laying her to rest. I now have a rocker in the nursery from her, and it means so much to me that there is a physical piece of her here with us. We have been working on the nursery and I will post pictures when it is all done. Two of our closest couple friends got married this past month, and it was so fun watching them on their happy day. Jason's Dad suffered a heart attack a couple weeks ago and by a miracle from God has pulled through and we have moved him back up to Indiana. He is doing much better and shows improvement everyday and we thank God he is still with us and continue to pray for further healing. Needless to say...we have been BUSY!!!

We now have twelve weeks to finalize plans for our baby girl and we are super excited! We are also looking forward to the THREE baby showers that are coming up in the next few month! Below are a few pics from Iowa and wedding we attended.

Stay tuned for the baby bump!!! It gets bigger everyday!

Four Generations of Women!!! One yet to come!!!