33 weeks

I've been having a ton of contractions the last few days. Monday they were 20 mins apart, Tuesday they were 15 minutes apart, and today they have been 10 minutes apart. I went to the doctor today and he said that as long as they aren't hurting, then I'm fine. I just need to be resting more and staying off of my feet more. yeah...ok. It's impossible to do that when you have my job! That's what I normally love most about my job...the fact that I'm busy all the time and always active. But now it's getting so difficult for me and it's obviously getting harder for my body to handle. I really don't know how to "take it easy." Even at home, I am always running errands, cooking dinner, cleaning, doing laundry. If I don't do it, it won't get done. Trust me, that's exactly what happened during my first trimester when I was puking every 5 minutes. I didn't clean or cook and so it didn't get done. ugh. I just feel like I have too much on my plate right now. I'm feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

On a brighter note, Ella's heartbeat was in the 140's. My bp was normal at 120/72. I only gained a pound and a half since my last appointment bringing me to 146.5 and a grand total gain of 23.5 pounds.

32 weeks

This last week has been a pretty crazy time in our lives. We unfortunately had to attend the funeral of Tyler's maternal grandma who was one of the most amazing women I've ever known. My heart breaks for his family and for our little Ella who will never know Mamie.

I suffered some pretty severe swelling in my feet and ankles over the weekend. My shoes were cutting into my feet! It was terrible. However, once I started the work week, they went down and haven't ballooned up again. I would think being on my feet so much at work would make them worse but it had the opposite effect for which I am grateful! My hands continue to be swollen and sore though.

Ella has been getting the hiccups for the last couple of weeks. I have forgotten to mention it here. Last night I couldn't fall asleep because she had them consistently for about an hour!

31 weeks

Went to the doctor today and everything was fine. I gained 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks...I'm at 145 now. My bp was 110/62. Lower than last time which is good...and kinda surprising since I've had a HORRIBLE day! Tyler's grandma suddenly passed away this morning and then I had an awful day at work. My kids gave me such a hard time that I ended up bawling my eyes out around 1:30 this afternoon. I've NEVER done that and I've worked in childcare for 4 years! It was just terrible. I'm so glad it's over. I hope tomorrow is better. We have to drive to San Saba/Brownwood tomorrow afternoon to deal with family stuff in regards to Tyler's grandmother's death, which means I will not be able to attend the childbirth class I have scheduled for Saturday. It's at the free clinic and I can't afford to pay for a childbirth class so I'm screwed on that deal...

We are having a really hard time with money as well. We made enough money this month to pay our bills but we don't have any left to pay for groceries or the doctor. So we have to dip into the miniscule amount of money we have in savings.

We are havind a very hard week. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

30 weeks

Well the burst of energy in my second trimester is starting to wane. I could take a nap everyday! At least I'm not sick like I was in the beginning because I felt like a zombie during my first trimester. My body is defnitely starting to feel the weight of this belly! My feet ache constantly, even first thing in the morning. No swelling though! My hands have been swelling a little and I had to stop wearing my rings. My fingers also hurt sooo bad. This just started about 2 days ago and I DON'T LIKE IT! I have finally started having horrible acid reflux/heartburn. I really thought I was going to get out of that one but no such luck. I bought some Tums and that has really helped.

Sleeping continues to be a challenge. My belly makes it hard to get into a comfortable position. Even when I'm on my side, it pulls on my back which hurts like crazy. I can't breathe through my nose. ugh. I have a horrible case of Restless Leg Syndrome. annoying.

Ella stretches out all the time now and she HURTS me. It's a very sharp pain. This just started happening in the last week.

As I read through this I realize it sounds like one long complaint! I guess you can tell I'm ready for my sweet baby to arrive and brighten my world:)

29 weeks

The picture is sideways but it is her face with her little hands clasped together on the bottom side of her face.

Just got home from the doctor and everything went really well. He told me that I passed my glucose test and that all my blood work came back perfectly normal. No more blood work for me! I did have to get the Rogam shot today since I am RH negative. It hurt much more than I thought it would. My arm is still hurting! The needle was 3 inches long and Tyler said she stuck it all the way in my arm...no wonder it hurt! My blood pressure went up a little this time. (I can't remember the exact numbers...damn pregnant brain!) My doctor says this is pretty normal at this stage of pregnancy.

The exciting part was getting to see Ella! Her face is getting so chubby. I love it! She is growing normally. She weighs in at 3 pounds, 2 ounces which is on the large side of average. I'm glad though because if she comes early, at least I know that weight will be on her side! I gained another 5 pounds which brings my weight up to 143 pounds. I've gained a total of 20 pounds so far! EEK!

My coworker/friend, Liz, threw Rosalyn and I a little baby shower that included the girls from work. We ate at Cheddar's and opened gifts. Ella got a lot of new clothes that are all sooo cute! I can't wait to see her in them. I am so thankful for all of my coworkers. They are so sweet and thoughtful. I truly appreciate all the gifts and I know Ella will get lots of use out of them!

28 weeks

I'm so excited to be in my 3rd trimester! I absolutely cannot wait to meet this little girl! I have been having some anxiety about her coming...about labor, about money, about being a mommy, etc. It's a little overwhelming when everything REALLY hits you! I just desperately hope that I am a good mommy to her and that she won't keep me up all night every night because I have no choice other than to be a working mom. I wish I could stay at home with her for her first year of life but, as of right now, that is absolutely not an option. I also hope that I can successfully nurse her even though I will be working. I cannot afford to see a lactation consultant so I have been reading books about nursing. If anyone has good suggestions for breastfeeding books, please let me know!

I had my glucose test this morning. The drink wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but it was sooo sweet that it hurt my stomach. Fasting for 12 hours and then drinking all that sugar didn't feel too good. I hope that's not a bad sign! When they drew blood from me, the girl had to stick me 3 times! One of those times she just dug around in my arm with the needle trying to find my vein! It was not fun. My arm is super sore now. ugh.

Ellas has been doing great. She's back to her old self...kicking and squirming all the time! She has even begun to interfere with my sleep. Sometimes she kicks me so hard it startles me awake. Sleeping has become a chore for me lately. This belly makes it very difficult to get comfortable. Not to mention, I have had such horrible sinus problems since I've been pregnant that I can't breathe through my nose and I end up laying in a puddle of drool most nights. lol.

Love my baby girl:)

27 weeks

This is actually my 26 weeks picture.


I went to the doctor last week and everything went just fine. I had several questions about things I had been feeling but he said they were all normal, even the near-fainting spell. He just said I need to take it easy when I feel like that, sit down, drink a glass of water and calm myself.

I gained a whopping 9 POUNDS since my last appointment 5 weeks prior! I was pretty stunned when I saw the number on the scale. My BP is good...120/68. Ella's heartbeat is normal...150 bpm. I have my glucose test scheduled for the 14th and I go back to the doctor on the 22nd, then I'm on the every-two-weeks schedule.

The last few days, Ella hasn't been moving around as much as she normally does. I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that I have been extremely active. I'm sure she's fine and if not, we have an ultrasound at our next appointment.

I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for about a week now (that I've noticed.)They aren't painful at all, just weird. My back has been hurting quite a bit, especially when I sit still for long periods of time (20 minutes +). My feet have been killing me. The balls of my feet were actually swollen this morning when I woke up. They feel like there are bruises on the bottom of them. However, I'm actually feeling pretty good. My energy is still high and I'm not feeling sick in any way. My body is just not used to carrying all this weight around.

Can't wait to meet my baby girl!