32 Weeks

Ok, technically it is 32 weeks 1 day because I did do this yesterday = ). 
I have about 8 more weeks (give or take) before we meet Eli Preston. I can not wait to see who he looks like, what features he gets from me and what features he gets from hubby. I can't help but hope he has my curly hair, hubby's blue eyes and cleft chin. I am excited to see what his personality will be like, what he likes and dislikes. 
To be honest though...I am pretty scared about the actual labor/birth process. I know it's going to hurt, how much will I be able to handle? Will I be able to do a natural delivery? will he want to breast feed as soon as he is born? 
So many unknowns and it is scary, overwhelming, exciting, nerve racking. 
Will we have everything ready for him? I have been nesting like crazy. I have washed all of his clothes, washed the rock n play, swing, carrier, anything that can/needs to be washed. I have found places in the nursery for pretty much everything. 
There is still work to do. I feel like my mind is constantly thinking of things that need to be done and I need to do it right then. This has caused me to not feel my best and my feet to swell. I know I need to relax on my days off but there is just so much that needs to be done. 
I had my 32week OB appt. yesterday and it went well. I had a different OB whom I had never met before. My OB was out of the office that day. She was nice. I am measuring on track and Eli's HB is 143. She short of threw me off guard by focusing the appointment on what hubby and I will do for birth control after Eli is born. She said that breastfeeding may delay ovulation for up to 6 months and it's usually not recommended to have a pregnancy less than 1 year apart. Hubby and I haven't really talked about this, except that both of us have no interest in me going back on the pill. It seems so weird to think about birth control when we went through so much just to get pregnant in the first place. I guess it is possible for things to "reset" after pregnancy. So, no real decisions have been made. 
Anyways, the good stuff. We had our maternity photo-shoot last weekend so I added some of those pictures here. LOVE THEM!!

How Far Along: 32 Weeks
 Total Weight Gain: +25lbs

Maternity Clothes: they are a must

 Stretch Marks: I am starting to develop some on my sides (boo)

Sleep:What is this? Yeah, not happening here. I am so uncomfortable at night that if I do get to sleep then it is not very restful and I wake up frequently.  I am so tired, but yet I can't sleep.

 Best Moment This Week: We had our maternity pictures done and I got to hear his HB again.

 Miss Anything: Sleep, being able to bend down to pick things up, being comfortable and being able to function properly. 

Movement: Oh, he has been moving great! There was a big movement Tuesday while I was driving home from work. I was a little worried he had turned because he was head down before. I guess we will just have to see! They can flip and turn all the way up to due date, so hopefully by the time delivery arrives he will be in the proper position. 

 Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Not really, I have been getting bad heartburn at night. 

Cravings: Anything strawberry, I ate a whole watermelon and a whole cantaloupe, yummmmm

Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Eli Preston!!

Labor Signs: I've had some Braxton Hicks type contractions. They aren't very noticable but at times I will notice that I feel like I am having period cramps, like I am about to start my period any minute. Not too bad yet though.

Symptoms: Blah, I'm just uncomfortable and hot and I can't sleep.

Belly Button In or Out:I can't believe it, but it's still in! 

Wedding Rings On or Off:Wedding ring is off, but I took of my engagement ring. 

Feeling: anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, excited, tired (yes, already and yes, I know it will only get worst)

Exercise:I'm trying. It is just so dang hot here and I am so dang uncomfortable. 

Looking Forward To: every week he is on the inside, the better. We have birth class next month. I'm just anxious to see what each week brings. I pray my BP continues to be good and pre-eclampsia doesn't hit, I pray he keeps cooking as long as possible, and I pray I can keep working as long as possible. 

 Next Appointment: June 11th

30 Weeks---The count down begins

 I can not believe I am 30 weeks pregnant. I can not believe I am 3/4th of the way done with this pregnancy. I can not believe that I have 10 weeks or less left before Eli is here. I still can not even believe that I am pregnant. 

I do write this post with some sadness. I will not go into much detail in order to respect the privacy of the person involved, but I found out that someone close to me recently had a miscarriage. My heart breaks so much for her and her husband. They are in my thoughts and prayers during this time and I pray their hearts and her body can heal briskly. I have never experienced loss, nor could I even imagine the pain and heartache of miscarriage. They are in my thoughts and prayers, and if you could take a moment out to say a prayer for them as well. (((HUGS!!!))) if you are reading this. 

I had my 30w OB appointment today and got my Rhogam shot. The appointment went really well, but it is very very difficult to pee in a cup when you can't see your lady parts to "aim". Just saying. 
My OB didn't say anything about my weight gain, but she did say I should try to walk 1 mile a day. She foresees the rest of the pregnancy going "perfectly". I also asked about delayed cord clamping, which would allow more of the blood in the umbilical cord to get into Eli's circulation. She said that she has always been a "slow clamper" and waits until it stops pulsating. So, yay! All is good = )

I also had breastfeeding class today. It was very helpful to me. They taught about ways to get a good latch and that it can be difficult at first, but soooo worth it. I have been mostly nervous about being able to continue the breastfeeding/breastmilk while I go back to work. Since I work at the hospital where I am delivering (or I guess work at a hospital that offers this period), they will give me a breast pump to use and there are 2 pumping rooms at the hospital that can be used while I am at work. One of the rooms is very close to the floor I work on! I am feeling much better about being able to take 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a shift to pump. Plus, they have to let me pump....it's the law = )

Mother's Day gift I received from a very thoughtful lady on the SAIF FB group. So thoughtful!!!

Cabin we stayed at in Lousiana last weekend for our "babymoon"

paradise = )

How Far Along: 30 Weeks
 Total Weight Gain: +25lbs

Maternity Clothes: I love them, can't live without them

 Stretch Marks:

Sleep: Quite uncomfortable. Either my hips hurt, but hurts, Eli is positioned in a weird spot, or I get heartburn (this fun night time heart burn started last night). I even brought a body pillow with me on our babymoon weekend.

 Best Moment This Week:We had such a relaxing and fun "babymoon" to Louisiana last weekend. It was so nice to relax on the porch of the cabin with the door open so the wind blew in. We also went on a fun swamp tour. We saw quite a few alligators, bald eagles, and beautiful birds and turtles. The water was rough at times so the banging of the boat was uncomfortable at times. Our guide was very very nice and planned in like 4 different stops that had bathroom so I could pee = ) He also bought me a virgin strawberry daiquiri! yummm!! I also had an OB appt today which went really well. Oh, and I finished my Spring semester in grad school with A's in both of my classes...yay! I will be taking time off of school until Spring Semester 2015.

 Miss Anything: Like I said last time, I miss being able to function at my full potential, especially at home and at work (I guess that is everywhere...). I hate feeling like I am putting more of a burden on others.

Movement: He has really been nice to me the last couple weeks and has moved around a lot. I guess he didn't like his mama worrying so he'll kick or move around to ease my discomfort. I really do appreciate it. I stays on the right side of my ute though, never crosses the midline to the left.

 Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nope!

Cravings: I still can't get enough crawfish. I haven't had any for a few weeks, but it always sounds good. 

Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Eli Preston!!

Labor Signs: Nope, I don't think I have had any Braxton Hicks.
Symptoms: I feel "ok" most of the time. I am starting to get used to the discomfort maybe. My ribs continue to hurt and I have a numbness/burning on the top right side of my abdomen (OB said it was normal). I have just learned to press on my abdomen or reposition to help ease the pain as much as I can. I have 1+ pitting edema to my legs, which my OB said will stay around until the end and she was ok with it.

Belly Button In or Out: It's still hanging on! In for now. I keep waiting to sneeze or cough and have it poke out. I did have a dream that it poked out and I showed my hubby....he was so disgusted he filed for divorce...I hope that doesn't happen = )

Wedding Rings On or Off: I went ahead and took them off. They were still able to come on and off but were definitively getting tighter. I put them on the hope necklace I wear every day. I am still wearing my wedding band because it has always been a little big.

Feeling: Honestly...I am really starting to get scared about the actual labor/delivery/birth process. I am scared, but he has to come out some how.

Exercise: I really need to do better. My OB told me today she wants me walking 1 mile a day. I think I probably walk a mile while working but I haven't been walking on my days off. I did walk a mile after I got home from the OB today. I survived and didn't have the severe side pain I have mentioned previously. I know that if I keep walking then it will only help me when it comes to delivery...so walk I shall.

Looking Forward To:I have a work baby shower next week, which should be fun, and a dear friend will be taking our maternity pictures in a couple weeks! So exciting!! And I just can't wait to meet Eli and see his face. See who he looks like and what his personality is like.

 Next Appointment: May 28th!