I'm Charmed!

Zac asked me all throughout my pregnancy what I wanted for my "push present." (For the record, I hate the term 'push present' anyways, but since I don't plan on "pushing" in the first place, I always thought it sounded weird, but, that's the term for it these days, so we'll roll with it for the purpose of this post.) I didn't really want to tell him what to get me. I wanted him to come up with it. But since he kept asking, I shared with him that I knew I didn't want mom jewelry. A friend of mine got a Kindle (or Nook...it was one of those) and was pumped about that, but I didn't really want that either. I guess I was hoping for something meaningful and timeless, but had no idea what that would be. Not a figurine or something that could collect dust. Not a spa day that would only be enjoyed momentarily. But I could never think of any ideas. Well, I thought of a flip video camera, but then decided I'd rather just use my iPhone, because I doubt I'd wanna carry around my phone AND my fancy camera, AND a flip camcorder.
A few weeks ago, I was on facebook, and one of the ads on the right side caught my attention. I never look at those ads, but this one was flashing a bright JULIA! JULIA! JULIA! (not really...just metaphorically, okay?) So I clicked on the ad and discovered the sweetest newborn pictures. It was a lady out of Mansfield/Arlington who did work in a studio, and had the cutest props and poses and I loved her color and everything about these sweet-sleeping-squishy newborn pics. But we are on one income now, and the price didn't fit our budget. But it got me inspired and motivated to find a photographer with similar work who did. Except the more I looked, the steeper the prices got. I started thinking maybe this first lady was pretty competitive with her pricing after all. But I couldn't pull the trigger. I felt guilty spending too much on pics. But that didn't stop me from lusting over her site every evening, and forcing Zac to look at all the cute pictures too. Well, guess what!? This week Zac told me that he wanted me to book with her, and it would be my "push present." I can not think of a better gift! I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work, and I know I'll love it even more, when it's MY cutie in the picture! I will have these forever, and cherish them always! It's not something I would have normally done, so that makes it an extra special treat for me! I'm so so excited!
I met with her this morning, at her studio, and totally adored her! She's super sweet and seriously loves babies and her 'job.' She has been trained by two of the best newborn photographers in the nation, and emphasizes safety and stuff that I hadn't even thought of. For example, she keeps the studio at 85 degrees, so the baby will be nice and toasty warm and happy, so they will sleep through the photo shoot. (I might have to bring a towel for my sweat, but hey, it's worth it for good pics.) I just think they are only tiny and pliable for such a short period of time. I'm so thrilled that we get to capture that little window in a way that makes me so happy! Look at these pictures, and tell me they don't make you soo happy...

Anyways, needless to say, I am so excited for our little photo sesh, and so glad I have such a thoughtful hubby. :) I wouldn't have booked them on my own, but I would have regretted it, and he knows that. We will love these precious portraits forever and ever!

Last Night

Last night was one for the record books. And not in a good way. Quite possibly the worst night of "sleep" I've had my entire life. But the sun is up and I'm drinking my morning smoothie, and all is right in the world again. I'm even a little entertained now, by the story of last night, so I thought I'd record it on the blog. Yes, this will probably make me sound crazy, but really I'm only crazy at night. What is up with that? Anyways, it's also way too detailed. Sorry. I just started typing away and couldn't stop myself. :)

First of all, it was a wonderful evening. Awhile back I joined the Chili's email list and so we had a free coupon. We invited Ramsi to join us, and that was fun too. The female manager there LOVES Zac and swears he looks just like Robin Thicke (remarks on it and gets excited every single time she sees him! haha), so she always gives us free chips and salsa. Score!

 

Anyways, we had a great time at dinner, dropped Ramsi off, then settled in to watch our favorite show Big Brother. I wanted to make some chocolate chip cookies (going to see my old co-workers today and wanted to take them a treat), so Zac even ran to the store to buy butter for me. It was a great evening, plus I got a glass of milk and two cookies to cap it off! :)

We got in bed around ten. Not late but not early. We both quietly tossed and turned, then I picked up my phone andstarted browsing facebook. Zac turned the TV on, because he couldn't sleep either. My hips hurt a lot from having to lay on my side all the time, so I finally decided that if I couldn't sleep, I should just get out of bed. So, I got up and grabbed my many bottles and boxes of pills I take and refilled my week supply of drugs.

 

That only took about ten minutes, so I decided to do a daily devotional before I tried to lay down again. (more on my Bible Study in a future post) I love reading the devotional book, and the passages from the Bible, recording my responses to the thought provoking questions. In fact, when I got to the end of the days' lesson, I wanted to move on to the next day. But I didn't let myself. Because I'm not even supposed to do one on Wednesday, since that's the day we meet as a group. Anyways, I'd been up about 45 minutes and decided to try to go back to sleep. My reflux was worst than it's been in ages, but I had already taken my antacid, so there wasn't much I could do. 

So, I lay down, out of breath, fire coming up my throat. I endure this for about an hour (wide awake, and annoyed I'm SO tired but can't seem to get comfortable, and my mind won't quit racing), and the longer I'm in bed, the more anxious I get. I remember that What To Expect said to get up and take a hot relaxing bath to reset your mind and body. I'm not a big fan of baths, but if there's a chance it'll help me sleep, I plan on trying. By this point it's past midnight.

So I get to the bathroom and light a few candles, because I knew it'd be counter-productive to turn the lights on, if I'm trying to wind down. I pull the shower curtain back and remember we just gave Molly a bath a few days ago. Zac's usually pretty good about cleaning out the tub after he bathes her, but I get nervous for a second, so I get a clorox wipe and wipe down the tub. (pretty sure this isn't helping me "relax") Look how cute Molly was in her oatmeal bath though...

 

I digress. So I have the candles lit. I rinse out the tub with water (just in case some of the clorox didn't air dry...definitely don't want to sit in chemicals...have I ever mentioned I think baths are gross? Whether the tub is clean or not.) and then I run my warm bath water. Of course it can't be too hot, but warm enough to relax. I finally get in, and I have some Enya playing softly on my phone and candles lit and warm steam rising up from the tub. Maybe this is relaxing afterall! I sat long enough to get good and drowsy (actually, I kind of wanted to fall asleep right there in the tub!) then decided to slip into bed, just knowing I'd fall asleep immediately. I towel off and put my night clothes back on, then open the door to the bathroom. I blow out the candles, and as I'm hanging my towel, the LOUDEST screeching alarm I've ever heard in my life starts screaming. "BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!" It. Won't. Stop. Turns out our smoke detector is in the hallways, right outside the bathroom door (also near Drew's bedroom door, which could be a life saver, or really annoying if it ever does this to me again!) and the smoke from the triple-wick candles has set it off. Zac stumbles through the living room, eyes half open and asks what's going on. By this point I've grabbed a magazine, and I'm fanning the ceiling in the hall. It finally stops. But now my heart is RACING, and I feel more awake than I ever have in my whole life. Did I just drink an espresso? I am aggravated at more bad luck, and know better than to try to lay down now, in this mood. It's 1am now, and I haven't eaten since dinner at 6, so I decide to try to fill my belly, and see if that helps make me tired. I grab a handful of graham crackers and make myself some Yogi Bedtime tea. I hadn't had it in a long time, and I'd forgotten how yummy it smells and tastes. 

 But halfway through the hot tea, my reflux kicks into high gear. Maybe the warmth relaxed my esophagus even more, maybe there's an herb in the tea that's not good for reflux, but whatever it is, I'm suddenly having to re-swallow graham crackers and tea that already went down. (that's the most delicate way to put it. But to put it bluntly, I was full-fledged throwing up in my mouth.) Sigh...it's just not my night. I finish the last sip of tea and drink a little water and head to bed. By this point, in my deranged and desperate state of mind, I start thinking to myself "tomorrow I'm going to drive to my doctor's office and beg them to reschedule the c-section for earlier! I'm so over this." Luckily somewhere around 2am, I drift off to dreamland and all the anxiety and frustration and desperation of just wanting some dang sleep fade away. I slept pretty hard until about 9am this morning, when I woke up feeling sore and stuffy. I actually smiled while I was still in bed, thinking how pathetic I was last night. In the past I haven't been able to sleep but I was wide awake, so I just got up and blogged or surfed in the internet or was productive. I think the difference was that last night I was so so tired (I'd woken up at 6:15 am and not napped all day) and really wanted to sleep, I just couldn't. Anyways, it all sounds so petty and over-dramatic now, just like bad dreams do the next day when you're trying to retell how horrifying they were, but it sounds like a PG movie. Speaking of movies, that scene of me fanning the smoke detector in the middle of the night, naked and nine months pregnant...yeah, that seems like something that would only happen in a movie. The Drew kicks and I smile again, because how amazing is it to be pregnant? To feel this little miracle growing and moving inside of you. Yes, when the sun is up, I can think rationally and gratefully, and I like my thoughts much better during the daytime.

34 Weeks

First, let me say that my mom and sis brought to my attention that it's hard to comment because the scrambled letters/numbers are impossible to make out. Sooo, because I love y'all (and love comments almost as much), I've changed my settings so that you don't have to do that anymore. :) You can repay me by commenting like crazy. LOL! Just kidding. (but kind of not really)

How far along? 34 weeks!
Total weight gain:not sure, but it's a lot and maybe I should quit counting? :)

Maternity clothes? Yes. And guess what? I bought this awesome black knit skirt at the GAP at the beginning of my pregnancy and planned on wearing it until it fell apart, then I couldn't find it for like my whole pregnancy, but guess what (did I already say that once? Well guess again!) I FOUND IT! I started doing Zac's laundry this week (we used to each do our own) and found it at the bottom of one of his baskets. It had been there for months. Thanks a lot Zac! Just kidding, I don't even care it was ever missing, because I'm so glad it's found! It's stretchy and comfortable and I even feel cute wearing it, which is more than I can say for shorts these days, and jeans are just too hot! Some of my maternity dresses are even getting snug around the tummy. Needless to say, I might wear this black skirt everyday the next five weeks, to make up for our lost time together. :)

Stretch marks? yes, and they are still multiplying. ugh

Sleep? The good news is that I'm sleeping better! I think the last trimester exhaustion has set in, and I'm tired a lot. The bad news is that I'm not near as productive as I've been all summer (maybe because I'm tired, or maybe because it's harder to move around now, lol). There is still quite a lot to do before D-man arrives, so I need to make some lists and force myself to do stuff during the day. Happy that I'm too tired to stay awake at night worrying though, that wasn't really a fun phase.

Best moment this week? Spending the weekend with my family in Austin. I'm sappy and thought "this is our last family meal without Drew" then later "this is the last time we will be leaving their driveway waving bye and heading home without a baby in the backseat" and all that. I also LOVE watching Zac interact with our nieces and nephews! He's such an amazing uncle. I'll never forget him chasing Madeline and Owen in the front yard and all three of them screaming and laughing and falling and losing their breath because they were having so much fun. I can't wait to see Zac be a daddy. :) I picked a good one!

Miss Anything? moving easily, being able to lean forward, sleeping on my back, but nothing major...

Movement? Yes! And it can be seen from the outside so often now! Drew is a party animal these days! 

Food cravings:I've been chewing ice lately. I'm kind of obsessed. I know it's awful for my enamel, but it's so refreshing. Store bought ice is way better than my freezer ice...I need to go get some tomorrow! :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: just this one particular cologne that Zac has (which yes, I bought for him). Polo Blue, I never want to smell you again. Also, I might have had a little fit tonight when he sprayed it. I apologized. He swore to never wear it again...which might have had more to do with my reaction and tantrum than the fact I don't like it! hahaha

Labor Signs: not yet

Symptoms: BH contractions.

Wedding rings on or off? Off and I haven't even been wearing the fake lately. My hands have just recently started hurting a little.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! :)

Looking forward to: my last baby shower, which is in two weeks, September 15th. Should I get a new dress for it? I felt like I've work all of mine a million times, but I also hate to spend money on something I'll wear once. Decisions, decisions. (and yes, I looked, and rent the runway doesn't have maternity! haha)

PS-We will meet Drew in FIVE WEEKS FROM TODAY (or less)!!!!!!

33 weeks

How far along? 33 weeks!
Total weight gain:two pounds since my appt two weeks ago.

Maternity clothes? Yes. I LOVE all the color that's out this season (rows and rows of colored pants in stores!) so I'm missing "normal" clothes, haha

Stretch marks? yes, and they are multiplying

Sleep? I am sleeping better! Sometimes I still can't fall asleep until 3am, but then I sleep late the next day (Oh! Good morning, 10am) and that day flies by, so that's okay too. I'm still using the bathroom five times a night, but I fall back to sleep easily and sleep in long chunks of time. Also, my body isn't super achey when I do wake up. Besides some intense Braxton-Hicks contractions, I've hit a sweet spot with my sleeping patterns. :)

Best moment this week? Watching Drew be happy and precious during the sonogram. Getting a sneak peek makes me feel like I'm already starting to learn him, and that makes me so very happy!

Miss Anything? sure, a few things (probably several), but I'm actually enjoying being pregnant and soaking up these last few special weeks. =)

Movement? Yep! Not quite as much as last week, but I definitely still feel him wiggling and occasionally kicking and punching. Sometimes when I'm lying on my side, I can feel him banging on the insides of my ribs. It's almost like being hit on the funny bone...such a strange sensation!

Food cravings: haven't really craved much, but I guess I've been wanting chocolate more than usual

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope!

Gender: BOY!

Labor Signs: not yet

Symptoms: BH contractions, get tired easily

Wedding rings on or off? Off. But I've been getting lots of compliments on my fake ring. haha!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! :)

Looking forward to: our last roadtrip as a family of three! We are going to Austin this weekend to see our families. It's our last chance to get to leave town, since the doctors like you to be within an hour of the hospital for the last month of pregnancy.

33wks Sono and Doc appt

Tuesday I had a doctor appointment and my last scheduled 4-D sonogram. (I suppose I could have another sono, but it would be because the doctor ordered it, not just for leisure.) Both the sonogram and the appointment went very very well, and I left a super giddy girl. I've been so lucky that Zac got to go to most of my appointments with me. He didn't want to miss any of the early ones, plus his old boss encouraged him to go. Then most of my pregnancy was over the summer and he was off work, so naturally he attended all of those. So I think yesterday was only the second or third appointment I went to alone. (Mom accompanied me once, and Ramsi once.) I didn't mind being alone, but during the sono, I was wishing someone else was with me to see how incredibly cute Drew is. :) 

Erin, my sonographer kept saying how "content" he looked. He was a happy camper, just living the life. His body had turned, so his head is now down low, in the "correct birthing position." Of course this doesn't matter much, since I'm having cesarean, but it might have been why we got such great pictures. :) He had a full tummy and bladder (I love seeing those black circles on the screen...I think it's so cool to see that he's already doing stuff he'll need to be doing on the 'outside.') She measured his skull and femur and he's currently 4 pounds and 8 ounces. She pulled up a little chart and he's in the 30th percentile, so not too big or too small, just average. He's projected to weigh in the high sixes, or a low seven pounds at birth. His heart rate was 146. Now for the fun stuff: he still LOVES having his hands near his face. In the 20 minutes I got to watch him, he rubbed his eyes, sucked on his fist, held onto his nose and chin, and just played a lot with his hands near his face. Precious! He opened and closed his eyes a lot, and that was really neat to see. We saw a huge smile once, and I felt a hot tear roll down my cheek. It might sound weird, but it's almost a little painful to watch these sonograms, because he feels so close, yet SO far away! :) I can't wait to hold him and meet him and kiss him and learn him! I do already know he likes to suck! His bottom jaw and lips were constantly moving and sucking, whether there was a fist nearby or not. I think he will like a pacifier...if he's not already addicted to his thumb. He sucked his thumb a lot too.

Hand rubbing eyes

"he looks so content"

more hands in the face..."hey mom, I found my chin!"

profile shot of him sucking away

After the sono was my appointment, which was also great. I saw one of my doctor's partners for the first time, and REALLY liked him a lot. (He's actually the doctor I originally wanted, who has an amazing reputation in Dallas, but he had a loooong wait time to get in with him, and I was already pregnant when I was ready to be seen, so I chose my doc instead...who also had good ratings and has been wonderful.) When Dr. Harris walked in, he gave me the biggest smile and said it was SO NICE to FINALLY meet me. I was a little confused, and then he said he opened my file to look over it, and couldn't put it down because I had a 'very interesting background,' obviously referring to my medical history. :) He asked if we were planning a c-section and when I told him yes, he smiled and said "that's the way to go." In fact, he had just (in the past month) performed a second c-section on a woman with a j-pouch (that's what I have!) and it went great. He warned me that the small bowel is slow to wake up after surgery, so when I start eating, do so slowly, to avoid nausea. I hadn't thought about it yet, but it makes perfect sense, so I was so glad he gave me this little heads up. :) I really really liked this doctor a lot! He kept telling me how healthy I look, and how my physical appearance didn't match my medical history, and how everything is on target, and I've done a great job of nourishing my baby, and all these other nice encouraging words. He seemed truly honored to meet little-old-me, and made me feel so special. I love my doctor so much, but I totally wouldn't be bummed if this guy ended up doing my delivery. :) Sidenote- He went to UT and loves Austin and the longhorns! :) Actually, I've interacted with 3 of the 4 doctors in the practice and been impressed by all of them. And I'm a girl who knows how to judge a doctor, haha! The 4th doctor (whom I haven't met) is one of my friends' OB, whom she adores, so I know I'd probably like him too! I am so pleased with the practice I chose! :) If anyone out there reading this is looking for a doctor in Dallas, let me know!
Also-I did't have any protein in my urine and my BP was 108/60, so no signs of preeclampsia! Yay!

Sidekicks

This morning I made pancakes for the second Saturday in a row. After eating and doing dishes, Molly and I got back in bed (where I'm blogging from my iPhone right now). Molly has started this new thing where she waits for me to lay on my side, then curls up in a ball right by my tummy. Drew kicks and kicks her. I truly don't believe it's coincidental, because the kicks are all in the same exact place (when they're usually all over), and they're right on Molly. Maybe it's because he can feel her warmth, or maybe she lies there because she can feel his. I don't know the science behind it, but I think they're already bonding, and I love it. The first time it happened I thought Molly would move when he started kicking, but she leaned in and pushed her weight more against me! :) I know it's probably not a conscious decision by either of them to hang out with the other, but they are communicating. And for some reason, they already have a special connection. Makes me one happy Mama! I wish I could get a neonatologist or veterinarian to explain to me what's going on, but whatever the cause, it's pretty darn cute!

Friday letters, (my pregnancy must-haves edition)

Here is my first Friday Letters, which also doubles as my recent must-haves...

Dear Clinique Long Last Glosswear-
Thanks for being the perfect amount of color and shine. I love how you stay on my lips for hours, unlike any other gloss I use. I also appreciate that you are SPF 15...pregnant women are sensitive to the sun, ya know.

Dear Sonic Limeade with extra lime, you are the perfect afternoon pick me up. The cold, the citrus, the caffeine-free carbonation...perfect summertime treat for me!

Dear Thermos, you are my number one favorite item in the world these days! We are best friends, and I never go anywhere without you. I love your double stainless-steel walls and vacuum insulation that keeps my water super cold! I love how I can go shopping and leave my ice water in the car, and come out two hours later, to a scorching hot car, but STILL have ice in my drink! You are the best and everyone deserves to have one. Especially in Texas, in the summer, and especially if you don't want to use a million plastic water bottles all day long, and worry about ingesting carcinogens. ;) Thermos, you make me a happy girl. Thank you.

 

Dear Vicks humidifier- You are kind of loud, and I like to sleep in silence (no fans or white noise or TV for this girl), but you help me breathe, so that makes me like you. I was so stopped up my first trimester, and now I am again. Thank you for making it easier to breathe, and thank you for not having a filter that I have to change out. Also, no offense, but I've registered for this humidifier for Drew's room. It's much prettier, don't you think?