38 Weeks

Life is just so good right now. Here are some exciting things that have happened within the past week...

- I am 2 cm dilated & 80% effaced! Plus, I lost my mucus plug... is that TMI? 

- Dr said if I make it to 40 weeks, there is a good chance we could have at least an 8 lb baby... I don't know if I should be excited or scared ;)

- The "nesting" phase has officially begun. I am currently obsessed with cleaning. I'm definitely taking advantage of it.

- I won an eBay auction for this Britax stroller we have been wanting to get. It was $50 cheaper than buying it at the store. I always love a great deal.

- Chad and I spent Saturday at the Car Show in Sandy. It has become a fun tradition for us. 

- Slowly, but surely, I am gaining my strength back. I can now walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath! Sounds ridiculous, I know, but I completely lost every ounce of muscle on my body over the past 4 months. My body isn't used to holding 30 extra pounds, so it has been especially hard on my back. Crossing my fingers that I can get back into shape fast. 

- My hospital bag is packed! It's so weird to think that within the next 2 weeks, we will have a baby!!!

- We splurged and went on a date night to the Black Sheep restaurant in Provo. So delicious!

- I feel like baby doubled in size over night. It's amazing to watch your body change to grow a human (+ no stretch marks, yet! Hopefully it stays that way ;) 

36 Weeks

I had my 36 week follow up appointment today (although I'm technically 36 weeks tomorrow). Everything is going just like we were hoping, and I couldn't be happier. Dr. Jacob did a cervical exam and could feel the knot in the stitch (!!!) and said it should be fairly easy to remove. He said I am dilated at a 1 cm and the stitch is preventing me from dilating anymore, so I am VERY grateful I have that stitch!! It is going to be removed a week from today in the doctors office, and then my body will just go naturally into labor... so I technically could have the baby as soon as next week, or he could come in a month... it's hard to know with my circumstance and especially since it's my first baby. He is measuring perfect and is in labor position, so that is great news!

It's almost baby time! Let the countdown begin!!!

35 Weeks

I received the best news at my 35 week appointment yesterday... I can now sit up! For the past 14 weeks, I have only been able to lay flat down. It will be nice to see the world vertically, sit upright in the car, and play my new piano!

Now I have weekly appointments, which means baby time is getting closer! At my appointment next week, they will determine if I can have my stitch removed in the office, or if I need to have anesthesia at the hospital (depending on the amount of scar tissue around the stitch and how easy it will be to get to).  We are going to have our little baby here before we know it!

How far along: 35 weeks

Total weight gain: 24 pounds

How big is the baby: The size of a honeydew melon, weighing around 5 1/2 pounds and around 18 inches long. 

Stretch marks: Nope! Hoping I can steer clear of them ;)

Cravings/Aversions: Absolutely nothing, which actually makes my life easy

Sleep: Between tossing and turning, sore hips, and bathroom breaks, sleep and I don't get along that well... but I figure it's just preparing me for my sleepless nights with the baby. 

Best moment of the week: Christmas & being able to sit up!

Belly button in or out: Still an innie.

Happy or moody: It really depends whether I'm hungry or not... but for the most part, happy!

Looking forward to: Getting my stitch cut!!

32 Weeks

When I was placed on strict bed rest 12 weeks ago, my Dr told me I need to at least make it to 32 weeks, since that's the big milestone for lung development. At the time, it was so hard to imagine making it that far. Now I am here and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I am so grateful every single day that I am still pregnant. Everyday makes a difference. 

As we were watching the LDS Christmas Devotional Sunday night, I couldn't help but become overwhelmed with gratitude. I wouldn't be able to survive bed rest without my amazing family, friends, and ward. We have been blessed with delicious dinners every single night {Monday through Friday} for the past 12 weeks. Although it may just seem like a simple meal, it really means so much to Chad and I. 

Since I'm not able to attend church {& they released Chad from his calling so he could be home with me}, every Sunday, the young men in our ward come to our house so we can partake of the Sacrament. I'm so grateful for the worthy young men that are so willing to serve. This has been such a blessing for us.

12 weeks of bed rest down and 5 weeks to go! I get my stitch cut at 37 weeks since I'll be "full term" - and then it's all up to the baby when he wants to make his big arrival. It amazes me how fast time flies when you're doing absolutely nothing ;) 

Hello, December

I can officially say that Christmas is in full swing over here at the DeVore home. We {more like Chad, but I cheered him on along the way} put up the tree and decorations. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Who doesn't love the snow, Christmas music, holiday lights, cuddling up by the fire, and hot chocolate?! It's most definitely the most wonderful time of the year. 

 

30 Weeks

I am so excited to be in the last home stretch of pregnancy! This pregnancy has flown by... it's hard to imagine I'll be holding our little guy in two and a half months or less. We couldn't be more excited or anxious!!

How far along: 30 weeks

Total weight gain: 15 pounds

How big is the baby: He is around 3 pounds and 16 inches long, about the size of a cabbage.

Pregnancy symptoms: swollen feet and Braxton hick contractions.

Have you bought anything for the baby: we bought a high chair and Chad has been spoiling him with lots of clothes. Next step- car seat, stroller, and nursery!

Stretch marks: not yet!

Cravings/Aversions: Apple slices with peanut butter. If you haven't tried it, you need to. Chad converted me and it's amazing. I have to eat it at least once a day. I have also been craving a big, juicy steak/burger and fries.

Sleep: Depends on the day. Some nights I sleep all through the night, other nights I feel like I'm up every hour either going to the bathroom or because the little guy won't stop kicking ;)

Best moment of the week: eating take out from Outback Steakhouse!

Movement: I don't know if I notice it more because I am on bed rest, but I can feel him SO much, and it makes me so happy. I have been able to feel where his head is and occasionally I can feel a foot/hand. His hiccups are a lot stronger now, you can see my stomach twitch when he has them. It's so crazy!

Belly button in or out: It looks like it's on it's final stretch on being an innie... it's about to pop out!

Happy or moody: happy! life is good!

Looking forward to: 32 weeks, the biggest milestone for baby's lungs/organs!

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!