32 Week Pregnancy Update!

I am over a week late on this post and am actually 33 weeks now but want to go back and blog about week 32 so as to stay on my every 4 week schedule!

I was 32 weeks Pregnant on September 13!!!

(just a cool picture I found on-line of a 32 week boy in utero)

Again, I just left the pertinent questions that have new answers to read!

Total Weight Gain: According to my 32 week OB visit, I am up 23 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I am a few pounds over where I would personally like to be but am happy overall because most of my weight gain is still in my belly and most importantly Cade is growing as he should be! (He is measuring a week behind still but has grown from our appt 2 weeks ago and so my doctor isn't concerned.) I do have to admit that while I can still wear my normal scrub pants and even a couple of pairs of regular jeans that I have I can tell that my hips are starting to spread just a tad and I am starting to see a tad bit of the "pregnancy face" on myself when I look in the mirror!

Sleep: Pretty much a hit or miss type of thing. Sometimes I sleep and sleep good and sometimes I wake every hour or so to reposition myself or go to the restroom. I really can't complain too much though because I am able to fall back asleep pretty quickly for the most part when I wake up.

Best Moment this Week: I would say the best moments over the last couple of weeks have been our Labor Day weekend trip to Lubbock and having my parents in town to visit this past weekend! We have had so much fun getting to see our families so frequently over this last month and look forward to the 2 upcoming weekends we have with family again!

Movement: Cade is still moving like crazy all of the time! Being a L&D Nurse I am anxious to see what his umbilical cord looks like at delivery!!!

Food Cravings: Cherry Lime Freeze from Braum's! Gregg and I stopped at 3 different Braum's on the way home from Lubbock last weekend looking for one with Cherry Lime Sherbet. We finally started calling Braum's and had to make a special trip through Irving to get me a Cheery Lime Freeze!

Anything make you queasy or sick?: Luckily, I have had very little problems with heartburn and know I am fortunate in that aspect. However, I think the nausea is returning and will be my problem over these next few weeks instead of heartburn. I get nauseous about 30-45 minutes after eating and have gotten sick a couple of times recently.

Labor Signs: Still having the occasional bouts of Braxton Hicks contractions but no true signs of labor yet!

Belly button In or Out: Barely hanging "in" there for now. It is getting closer and closer to popping out, which I am totally dreading!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time?: Happy but emotional! I get my feelings hurt very easily these days and tend to cry if someone looks at me wrong!

Milestones: I have 2 Baby Shower's coming up over the next 2 weekends! I will be picking up my bedding on Thursday and should have it in and everything hung on the wall by next weekend! We will then have our nursery all ready to bring home a baby!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back. - Anonymous

Labor Day Weekend in Lubbock

We made an unexpected trip to Lubbock Labor Day weekend to visit my Grammy because she was in the hospital. Grammy was hospitalized the weekend before with a SEVERE headache and spent about a week there before being released. She was home 1 day and taken back to the hospital by ambulance. When she was admitted the second time I decided that I had to go and see her and so we loaded up Friday afternoon and headed to West Texas! Luckily, they decided that Grammy just had an overwhelming sinus infections with all of her sinus cavities completely encapsulated but they had to rule all the other more serious stuff (brain tumor, stroke, meningitis, etc...) out first before they reached this conclusion. The strange thing about the sinus infection is that my grandmother had the surgery to clean out all her sinuses just 4 months ago and has been very diligent in caring for herself since then. Grammy had Guillain-Barré syndrome about 20 years ago which started with a sinus infection and put her in the hospital for 6 weeks and bed ridden for about 6 months. It took her almost a year to completely recover and has made her so sensitive to head colds and sinus problems since then. All of us were so afraid that the Guillain-Barré was coming back.



We got to Lubbock really late Friday night and just went to my parents house to go to bed. Saturday morning we had breakfast with my parents and then went to the hospital to visit. It was so good to see Grammy finally and to see that she was starting to feel better. Every time that I talked to her on the phone she sounded so bad and scared me. We spent most of Saturday at the hospital and then went to meet Gregg's family for dinner that night. I got to love on sweet Landry which is always a plus in my book!!!



On Sunday we got up and went to meet Gregg's family for breakfast at Red Zone Cafe before heading to the hospital. Tech played that afternoon and this little cafe was COVERED in Red and Black. The food was awesome and quickly became a favorite breakfast place of Gregg's in Lubbock! After breakfast we went to the hospital to visit with Grammy again. She had had a little bit of a rough night and wasn't ever able to get comfortable and rest any. Around lunchtime we convinced my Grandfather to let us take him to my parents tailgate spot for some good, non-hospital food and sunlight! He really enjoyed all the yumminess and the time away from the white hospital room walls. Gregg and I took him and my uncle back to the hospital and then we returned to the tailgate and spent the afternoon watching Tech's first game of the season and win against SMU! I am excited about the potential this team has and am quickly becoming a Tommy Tuberville supporter!!! (I will admit that there was a time I was on Team Leach and not too excited about our new coach but the more I have learned about him and have heard the players talk about how much they like and respect him has totally converted me. I still feel that Leach was wronged in the way everything went down but also feel it was time for him to go.)



Monday morning had us back at Red Zone Cafe for breakfast with both of our families and then back at the hospital. We spent a couple more hours with Grammy and left town feeling much better about her status and knowing that she would soon be discharged.



I was so thankful that Gregg and I were able to make this trip home to Lubbock to check on my Grammy and visit with all of our family. Family has always been important to each of us but is becoming even more of a treasure now that we are expecting our first child.

Christmas Stocking

I have been looking at different Christmas stocking for several months now trying to decide what new "family" stockings we wanted to get that could grow with our growing family! I originally wanted Pottery Barn stockings because they had one with a firetruck on it for Gregg but they have discontinued that one. :( I had looked on E-Bay a bit for the stocking but wasn't completely sold on purchasing it.

My Mom was at Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago and found stockings there for me to make and so I have tackled the task! I am starting with Cade's and plan to have it done by Christmas and then will work on mine and Gregg's stockings for next year.

Cade's new stocking

Gregg's stocking (My FAVORITE and the reason that we bought these stockings!)

I have ordered this kit for me (I am going to modify it a little to make it have a tag for the name and look more like the boys stockings)

I cut the big front piece for Cade's stocking out this weekend and then separated all the sequins and beads but had to wait to get new needles and other supplies before getting started. I went to Michael's yesterday and started the stocking last night! It is VERY tedious and time consuming but I am so excited that we will have really special stockings to hang every Christmas!

There are sequins up top on the blue part and then the window pane is started

I have big plans to work on this more over the weekend! I know that I need to really get A LOT done over these next 9 weeks before Cade makes his arrival since my world will completely change after that!!!

Pool Party

Last Saturday we got together with my girlfriends from Junior High for a pool party! We all got met up around 2pm and spent the rest of the day outside enjoying the sun and water. It was my first time to get into a pool this summer and I was so excited about feeling weightless and being able to float! (I wasn't too excited about putting on a maternity swimsuit however!)

A lovely self portrait before the party (29 weeks 5 days)

We decided for everyone to bring their favorite dip for us to snack on and that we would order something for dinner later in the evening. We had a yummy pesto hummus dip, spinach dip, fruit and fruit dip, chocolate brownies, and every one's favorite Pizza By The Scoop plus lots of cold drinks to keep everyone happy! I have to admit that I have SERIOUSLY been craving a cold beer here lately. I think it is the crazy hot weather that we have had recently that has just made a beer sound really good. So, while Gregg and I were out shopping the night before we scoped out the non-alcoholic beer section and bought a 6 pack of non-alcoholic Coors! Surprisingly enough they were really good and totally hit the spot!

Courtney and I enjoying our "beer"

(She is 15 weeks pregnant)

We ended up going to have dinner at the "Feedstore" in Southlake (Really GREAT BBQ if you are looking in that area!) After dinner we went back to the house, sat around the fire pit talking and made Smores!

We had such a fun time relaxing and hanging out with great friends! I love these girls and guys and feel so incredibly blessed to have each of them in my life!

PS- Sorry for being a slacker with the picture taking!

3D Sono

We went to El Centro College yesterday afternoon to let the Sonography students practice doing an ultrasound on me! I place a lot of these students when they come to Parkland for their clinical rotations and have been invited to come check their facility out. This school has an AMAZING set-up and great equipment! We enjoyed this sono so much because the school instructor was teaching during the entire thing and it was great to hear them explain every little thing that they were looking at along the way. Cade wasn't very cooperative at all and had his arms up in front of his face throughout the entire thing. We got a couple of pictures and videos that show him off a little.

This first picture shows the best shot of the face that we could get. You can see his forehead at the top of the screen and his eye and cheek on the left of the screen and then his crossed arms covering the rest of his face.

Little feet!

It was fun to get a glimpse of our little guy yesterday (even though he wasn't very cooperative)! We are so blessed by this pregnancy and cannot wait to meet Cade in 10 short weeks!

28 week Pregnancy Update

I am several days late on this since I was actually 28 weeks on Monday but here it is!

I'm 28 weeks pregnant!!!

Again, I just left the pertinent questions that have new answers to read!

Total Weight Gain/ Lost: I went back to the doctor yesterday and was up 17 pounds. (I was at 14 pounds when I was there 4 weeks ago so hopefully I can keep gaining slowly the rest of this pregnancy.)

Sleep: Not really so great anymore! I do believe that my body is getting me adjusted to being up with the baby. I wake up to use the restroom probably 3-4 times each night and then wake up several other times because I am just not comfortable! I also have been staying up later because as tired as I am all day long I am just not tired when it comes time to actually lay down and sleep so therefor waking up in the morning has become more difficult also.

Best Moment this Week: Well, the moment hasn't happened yet but the scheduling of the moment has. I scheduled our 3D sono this week and we go for it next Wednesday! We are getting to go to one of the schools that sends Parkland Sonography students for clinical rotations and they have great equipment and said they would LOVE to practice on me!!! We haven't had a sono since 18 weeks so I am very excited about getting to see our little boy again!

Movement: All the time and I LOVE it!!! I like to call him my little jumping jelly bean because he is constantly doing some sort of acrobatic movements in my belly (especially at night about 30 minutes or so after I lie down)!

Food Cravings: I have craved onion rings quite a bit recently but I don't actually want the rings I want those thin onion straws instead! I am still craving fruit, popcicles, and any kind of frozen fruit drink. (I had a fantastic strawberry pineapple fruit mixer from the cafe at Medical City on Sunday!!!) I don't necessarily crave them but I eat a lot of waffles in the evening for dinner. They taste good and are easy for me to make when Gregg is working!

Anything make you queasy or sick?: I am only getting sick about every 10-14 days now! I don't know what triggers me to actually get sick but ever so often something just gets to me.

Have you started to show yet? Yes! And I am finally pregnant enough looking that strangers have asked me about the baby and when I was due!

Leakage: Nope

Labor Signs: I am having occasional braxton hicks contractions and did have to make a trip to L&D triage a couple of weeks ago because I was having real contractions and did not feel normal at all. Other than that one day I have had no labor signs and am making sure to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest so that I can avoid that. (I have several pregnant nurse friends right now that are all on bedrest at 24 weeks for the rest of their pregnancy!)

Belly button In or Out: It is in for now but it's looking like it might pop out at some point!

Happy or Moody most of the time?: I would say that I am happy but emotional! I cry all the time and for no reason at all. My favorite time to cry is when I get in the car. I have no clue what triggers it but I will start crying for no apparent reason! (I cried 5 times yesterday alone! Twice at the Physical Therapists, twice at the OB's office and when sitting in the nursery last night. Just emotional!)

Milestones: I have made it into the 3rd trimester!!! I cannot believe how fast this has all passed and that we will bring a baby home in just 11 1/2 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: My Mom sent the following quote to me last week when I was frustrated with myself for a mistake that I made. I found the quote to be enlightening and think that we should all keep this in mind when fussing about our own and others mistakes. "Look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion, and up with gratitude." -Zig Ziglar

Weekend Wrap Up

On Saturday our department at work had a "Summer Get Together" at one of our Manager's house and pool! I honestly was dreading going because it is so darn hot outside but was in charge of all the planning going into the party so was "forced" to attend. We went a few minutes early to help get everything set up and Gregg got assigned to grill duty immediately! We grilled burgers, hot dogs and hot links all throughout the day as more people came and went and had all kinds of yummy snacks inside the house for everyone to enjoy! The day turned out to be really enjoyable and not near as uncomfortably hot as I was expecting! It was plenty hot out but there was a huge pecan tree in the back yard that provided so much shade and there was a decent breeze that blew on and off all day which made everything tolerable! I spent the day running back and forth between the grill and inside where the food was, sitting in my lawn chair talking and relaxing with everyone else. I did put my legs in the pool for a little while but decided not to bust out the maternity swim suite and scare all the kiddies!!!

Trying to stay cool

Ava and Ellie swimming in the "little girls only" pool

just lounging

feeding the fish

Ellie and Ava in their tent (these 2 little ones became best friends on Saturday!)

Going fishing

Will with his fish

Mathew with his fish

headed out for a ride on the paddle boat

the little girls were SOOO excited that they got to go on the paddle boat

Ava and Ellie after going on their boat ride

Overall, the party was a huge success and I really did enjoy spending time with everyone outside of the hospital and getting to meet the families of all my work friends. We are already making plans for next years get together and hope to do it in June before it is stifling outside!

*View picture below with caution! It is bloody!*

On our way home from the party Saturday afternoon my Mom called me and said that my 97 year old great aunt, Cleacy, had fallen at her nursing home and was being taken to the ER at Medical City. We happened to be right at the exit for the hospital and so we stopped there to check on her. My Uncle was already at the ER waiting for her and so he and I went back once she arrived to see her and then Gregg came back a few minutes later to help us understand everything we were being told. Poor thing was all banged up! She had a pretty severe cut to her head (picture below) which ended up requiring 9 stitches and also big tears on both of her arms and her left knee. She was still in the c-collar when we first got into her room because they were waiting to take her to get a CT scan and have lots of x-rays done. Cleacy didn't remember what had happened and the people from the home were fuzzy on the details so the hospital wanted to rule everything out. Her blood pressure was also crazy high, which is not normal for her and so we were all concerned that she could have a brain bleed. All her scans were finally cleared and the x-rays didn't show any broken bones (praise God) so they gave her something to bring her blood pressure down and admitted her to a tele unit for observation over night. Once she was admitted, Gregg and I went home for the night and let my uncle get her settled into the room.

Cleacy's head before they stitched her up

On Sunday we went back up to the hospital and spent the day with Cleacy and Rod waiting on discharge orders for Cleacy. She was feeling so much better, was talking to us and back to being her self. She never complained of any pain and every time we asked her if she was hurting she would say "I know I look pretty rough but I really feel pretty good." I can't imagine how she wasn't in any pain and kept telling her that she is so much tougher than I am because I would have been crying like a baby if I had split my head the way that she did! Cleacy was finally discharged around 5pm and we took her back to the nursing home where she ate a really good dinner and then was ready to go to bed. The weekend was long and hard for us all but I was so glad that we were able to spend the time with Cleacy and be there to help my uncle with everything he does for her. Family is precious and Gregg and I are both so blessed to have wonderful families!

And here is Cleacy today!

(still looks a little like a mummy with her bandages but is doing much better overall)