Trials.

Pregnancy is one of the hardest/scariest things I have ever had to go through. Not having control of my cervix is absolutely terrifying. Yesterday I had a follow up ultrasound to check the size of my cervix. Although I have been SO diligent to bed rest, my cervix is now "funneling" and has opened to 2 cm, and is completely relying on the stitch to keep the baby in. Dr. Broberg decided it would be best for me to get a steroid shot to help speed up the process of the baby's lungs - just in case he is born premature. He said I still have a chance of making it to 40 weeks, but just in case I come at 30 weeks, we want to be prepared. I have to go back tomorrow to receive another steroid shot. After receiving the news about my cervix, I completely lost it. I have grown attached to this little guy and just want him to be as healthy as he can be. I spent most of the afternoon in tears and thinking things like, "why does this have to happen to me?" "why can't I have normal pregnancies like everyone else?" "how come I have to go through this?" Although I don't know any of the answers to these questions, I need to just focus on the positive and take one day at a time.

 It may sound silly, but I am grateful for this trial. It has made me such a stronger person. I have proven to myself that I can do extremely hard and difficult things. 23 hours a day laying down is not easy! Not only is it physically hard (especially on my hips), it's also mentally challenging. It has put life into perspective and has showed me who/what is really important in my life. This trial has brought me closer to Heavenly Father and I couldn't be more grateful. I know He listens and answers your prayers. He wouldn't give you any trial you can't handle. He knows exactly what you are going through and knows what's best for you. I need to have 100% faith in his timing and know that it will all work out in the end.

I am grateful I get to see this cute lil' face every two weeks! It definitely has been one of my favorite parts of pregnancy!

28 Weeks

Hello, third trimester! I have been anxiously waiting for this week for a long time. Right after I had my cerclage surgery, my Dr. said I have 3 big milestones in pregnancy - 28 weeks, 34 weeks, and 37 weeks. He said the chance of a baby surviving prematurely after 28 weeks goes up to 90%. Not knowing how effective my surgery would be, I was anxiously counting down the weeks until I got to 28 weeks... and now I'm here and I feel so blessed!! Now the countdown begins to 37 weeks because that's when my cervix stitches are cut and I am released from bed rest. 7 weeks of bed rest down, 9 more to go... I can do this!

On Sunday, I was eating skittles and and my crown came out. Luckily I didn't swallow that $2,000 tooth! Since the dentist was closed, I had to deal with a sensitive/painful tooth ache for a day. It was miserable!

(this is what my tooth looks like without the crown, don't mind my skittle colored tongue ;)

Luckily, my mom was able to take me first thing yesterday morning to get it fixed. You don't realize how much you rely on other people until all of your freedom is taken away. After the dentist, we went to the Provo hospital so I could get my lovely glucose testing done. I actually wasn't too nervous about it. After my surgery, I had to get my blood drawn a lot, so I am finally starting to get used to needles. Call me crazy, but the drink really wasn't that bad. It tasted like a melted orange otter pop with carbonation. Delicious ;)

I am one of the 15% of the population that has RH negative blood type... I feel so special. Because of this, I had to get the Rhogam shot today. I'm so grateful for today's medicine that allows unique ones like me to have healthy babies.

How far along: 28 weeks!

Total weight gain: 15 pounds

Showing:Yep! Although somedays I feel like I look like I'm 3 weeks pregnant ;) I think it's just an illusion from my big boobs. I never knew a size 34 G bra size even existed. The struggle is real, people.

Maternity clothes: Just maternity pants... I actually don't own a single maternity shirt, yet ;)

Stretch marks: nope!

Sleep:  I have never slept so good in my life. I have been going through a phase where I have been sleeping for 12 hours almost every night. I am soaking it in because it makes the days go by fast and I know it won't last much longer!

Best moment of the week: feeling baby DeVore's hiccups for the first time! He gets them everyday and they last about 10 minutes. It assures me that his lungs are developing.

Movement: Baby has found my ribs, so he started doing this little game where he will push off my ribs and stick his little bum as far out as he can. It's so funny to watch because my stomach will all of the sudden be poking out about 2 inches on one side. If I lightly tap on my stomach, he will kick back in the same spot. Or if I shine a flashlight on my stomach, he will kick back wherever it's shinning. It's so fun to "play" with him.

Cravings/Aversions: I haven't had any cravings or aversions, which has been nice.

Miss anything: eating raw cookie dough and sunny side up eggs.

Belly button in or out:  In. It looks like it won't be popping out for a while.

Happy or moody: Happy!! I still have my occasional breakdowns from being on bed rest, but I figure that's probably normal.

I am so excited to be in the last home stretch of pregnancy. We are SO anxious to meet this little guy in 12 weeks!