Baby Shower pt.2

Can I just start by saying that I have the cutest friends?! They put together the sweetest baby shower for baby DeVore and made a delicious waffle bar that was to die for. It was such a fun morning catching up with great friends!

{thanks to Melissa for taking all of my pics}

Happy Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we went to Chad's parents house. My doctor said it was ok to go up to their house since they live 2 minutes away from us. This was the best news ever! This was my first time getting out of the house (besides Dr appointments) since September! It was so nice to be able to lay on someone else's couch and get a different scenery. Chad's mom made the most amazing Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had. I probably ate two days worth of calories, but I figured it's ok since I'm eating for two ;)

I have so many things to be thankful for this year, I could go on and on... but first, and most importantly, I want to say how thankful I am for this handsome devil. He literally has done everything for me for the past 2 months (cleaning, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, late night ice cream runs, etc.) all on top of working a full time job -- and he hasn't complained once. He is the most selfless, genuine, sweetest man I know and I am so thankful that he is my baby daddy and I get to keep him for eternity!

 Happy Thanksgiving!

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!

MFM

Today I had an appointment with the MFM (maternal fetal medicine) specialist at UVRMC. I was referred to the specialist to see if there was anything else I could be doing about my cervix and see how it is measuring. Since it was my first time at this office, they did an abdomen ultrasound to take a look at the baby. He is weighing in just under 3 pounds (2 lb 14 oz) and is growing right on track, which is such a blessing! 

For the first time this pregnancy, he is breach! He has been in labor position since 20 weeks, so I was definitely surprised to hear that. The Dr. said there's no need to worry about the position until about 37 weeks. It's been fun having him breach because I can feel his head for the first time, but hopefully he will turn around in time for labor ;)

My cervix has shortened to 1.1 cm (it was at 2 last week). This definitely wasn't the news I was expecting to hear, but I am just grateful the stitch is still in place and I had the steroid shots to speed up his lung process. I have done all that I physically can do, so there is no need in stressing about it. As I was leaving the appointment, I just felt a sense of peace. I know it will all work out and at this point, all I can do is keep being diligent to bed rest. As for now, I am going to keep enjoying baby DeVore's kicks and pray that he can stay in as long as possible. 

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!

Baby Shower

Who says you can't craft while on bed rest?! Since my body pillow is practically attached to my hip, I feel like I can do anything ;) I offered to make my baby shower invitations because I figured it would give me something to do and give me an excuse to use my cameo, which I absolutely love! I decided to be extra crafty and make the envelopes as well. It seriously took me a whole week to make 17 invitations, but I loved every minute of it!

The baby shower was held at my house. It was so fun to spend the afternoon with my family.

{Thanks to my sisters/mom who took all of my pictures}

If you're like me, I always dread the baby shower games because they always last forever. My sister, Amy, was in charge of the game and it was by far one of my favorite games I have played at a baby shower. It was seriously 5 minutes and it was so simple. She bought all of the items on the list and then we had to guess how much each item cost. The person that came the closest to the actual cost won a candy bar.

Can I just tell you how amazing my grandma is?! Not only has she made a baby blanket for every grandchild, she also makes them for every great grandchild! On top of that, she HAND sews it. She is incredible. I wish you could see the design up close because it's incredible!! She made the cutest disney blanket for baby DeVore. I am going to cherish this blanket forever!

My mom took after my grandma and is an amazing seamstress! She made me the cutest monster blanket, burp rags, and car seat cover. She definitely spoiled me!

I'm so grateful for these beautiful ladies that threw me the best baby shower today. I am so lucky to have such an amazing family!!