36 weeks

I'm officially nine months pregnant. It is truly hard to believe but I feel every minute of it. I am miserable. I honestly hate to complain because this is such a blessing-- I am in just so much pain, exhausted, can barely move, and these contractions are wearing me out.  I know it's worth it and all will be forgotten the moment I see and hold my baby girl.

I had my weekly checkup today. The appointment went well. I weighed 114 pounds (I've gained 3lbs in 2 weeks, opps). They did my Group-B Strep test and checked my cervix. Nothing has changed and I have not even started dilating yet... I only have two more appointments until my c-section and they went ahead and made them for Feb 25 and March 7. Not too much longer! Madelyn and I are still doing well; although, this mommy is ready to get this sweet little one out. David cleaned out the van spotless yesterday and installed Madelyn's carseat. We are ready so come on baby!

Enjoy these pictures:

Happy Valentine's!

36 weeks

Oh belly!

Daddy's hand prints

Thank you to all who pray for us. We greatly appreciate it. Please pray I can tolerate the pain in good spirits. If I go into labor on my own, pray I won't be in pain too long before they do my c-section. Please pray for a very safe, smooth c-section/delivery, a very healthy baby and mommy, a fast and easy recovery, as well as a smooth transition to parenthood for David and I and bringing baby home. <3

Doctor appointment... Valentine's Day... Hospital

Madelyn Skye is so ready to meet the world and isn't wanting to wait until March 11th...

Thursday, I had my regular OB doctor appointment and growth scan.  Everything looked excellent and Madelyn weighed in at 5 pounds 9 ounces. Holy cow, I can't believe she weighs that much already; however, that's awesome. They did a cervical exam and said my cervix is starting to soften, too. Baby and I are doing well. My feet and legs are swollen but my blood pressure is good. I go back Tuesday for my normal weekly checkup.

After the appointment, David and I went to Frankie's Fun Park for Valentine's Day and really enjoyed it. It was bittersweet because it was our last Valentine's as just us... After playing, David ordered take-out from Texas Roadhouse and David, momma, I had a very nice dinner at home. I no longer can eat out because the tables are too low and I cannot bend over, haha. Dinner was sooo good though. I love my man!

Right when I was finishing up eating I began having contractions that quickly increased in frequency and intensity accompanied by a tremendous amount of pressure.  They were 3 minutes apart lasting 2 minutes. I leaked something what I thought was my water. I tried walking to help relieve some pressure. My sister came over and really helped me through the contractions. We got to the hospital about 10:30. The contractions were extremely hard. My cervix had not changed so they monitored me, checked to see if my water had broke which it hadn't, and offered me pain medicine that I denied (I really don't do well with medicines). Madelyn didn't like the contractions because her little heart rate would jump to the 190's during a contraction- poor baby.  They started slowing down and I got discharged around 2am. The nurse said the contractions were real, very steady and she didn't think it'd be long before I had this baby... I'd really really prefer to wait until my c-section to AVOID this labor deal but I guess Madelyn will come when she wants to.... I'm still having contractions and an unbelievable amount of pressure.  It hurts so bad... Dangit! 

I'll post Tuesday after my appointment. 

34 weeks... Things are getting interesting

I am 35 weeks and it has been a very eventful week. I have only four more weeks until my scheduled c-section; however, that's really up in the air at this point. Tuesday morning, I woke up around 3:00 having some awful tightening in my belly… hello contractions! Every time I had one my sides would sink in and Madelyn would be balled up tight in the middle. David woke up momma and as soon as she saw my belly she said we needed to go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 4:30 and they placed me on the monitor. Sure enough, contractions every 3 to 5 minutes. They hurt! Luckily, my doctor was on call that morning, which made me feel better. She gave me a shot of Brethine to stop my labor. Well, that just made my contractions worst. After 30 minutes they gave a second shot, which worked. But I then passed out from my heart racing from the medicine, getting too hot, and my sugar dropping. Ugh! The nurse (who was great) brought me peanut butter, crackers, and juice. I ate that and felt better. We left the hospital around 7:30, David went to work (poor thing), and I went to bed. My belly has felt extremely tensed since then. Thursday afternoon the contractions returned and I've been having them ever since. They were not as close or regular until last night. We went to Crystal's for Eli's birthday and I walked up their stairs-- it made me have contractions. From 6pm until 11pm I had steady contractions every 5-7 minutes apart.

I had an OB appointment Friday morning. As Dr Alt was measuring and feeling my belly I had a contraction. She said “ooo boy, your belly is tight!” Dr Alt pretty much said I'm not going to last until my scheduled c-section on March 11, I can go into labor any time. They will not even try to stop it now. She said there's a good chance my water could break, too. So, Baby Madelyn could make her grand entrance at any time now! I'm measuring 36 weeks and I weigh 111 pounds-- big momma! I go back Thursday, hopefully, for a growth scan, a cervical exam, and a strep-B test. I’m getting nervous but I’m so excited! It really helps when everyone around me, like David, my momma, dad, sister, Donnie, and the kids are just as excited as I am. My dad was so worried about me not having my bags packed… He said I needed to pack them so when it’s time all we’d have to do is call a “CODE MADELYN”, grab our bags, and go. So sweet. :D Last night, David, momma, and I packed mine and Madelyn's bags... We are ready! I can’t believe it is here and I’ll be a mommy soon. I'm trying my best to hold off until my ultrasound Thursday but I can't stop her if she's ready.

After the doctor appointment Friday, David, momma, and I went to the Switch-A-Roo consignment sale. We finished getting everything we needed, yayyy! It was huge and we got some awesome deals. We came home with: a nice swing in great condition, a beautiful complete comforter set, a nice monitor set, tons of newborn clothes, blankets, books, Baby Einstein DVD, jewelry box, and a few other things. Our total: $172.00. Heck yeah!!!! David put carpet down Saturday night which looks so good, he finished the wall, and momma finished the decor. And my dad installed the ceiling fan Sunday. Nursery is ready- all it needs is sweet little Madelyn! Here are some pictures:

These contractions truly are no fun. They really are painful. It's been almost a week since they started, I'm exhausted. Not sure how much more I can take but I want to keep her inside as long as I can so she can be as healthy as possible. Please pray for strength, endurance, and patience for me—I’m worn out and miserable. Please pray for a safe, smooth delivery, a very healthy Madelyn, and fast recovery. I’ll post after my doctor appointment Thursday. She's almost here!!!!!

A few belly pictures at 35 weeks- whew:

33 Weeks

What an exciting, overwhelmingly blessed week.  Only 37 days to go until we meet baby Madelyn.  I am gaining confidence and getting more prepared as the days come. I had an OB appointment with ultrasound last Friday, my spectacular baby shower Saturday, a visit from one of my best friends from TX Tuesday, and an appointment with the Anesthesiologist Thursday. This will be a long blog... Enjoy.

Last Friday (1/25) was my regular OB appointment and growth scan. It went excellent. Madelyn was being a stinker during the ultrasound- sticking out her tongue, opening her eyes, moving around (too bad her Daddy missed it- he got called into work just before we were leaving for the appointment). And she has HAIR!! You could see it floating in the fluid.  She looks just like her Daddy. Precious. I may be bias but my baby is the cutest thing ever... She weighed a whopping 4.4lbs, too (I definitely feel it). I'm already in love-- I feel like I know her already which is making me gain confidence in taking care of her.  Anyway, baby and I are well. I was not able to weigh because David wasn't there to help. The doctor thinks I'm passing out due to dehydration so I'm trying to drink lots more. My next appointment is February 8th.

 Saturday (1/26) was my baby shower and momma's birthday.  At the beginning of the shower, everyone sung Happy Birthday to her which was awesome.  I am still speechless-- no words can truly express my gratitude, my thankfulness, or my heart. I am blessed beyond words, beyond imagination. It was amazing.  So many people came to celebrate Madelyn, even people from my school years that have helped mold me into whom I am today and who has a very special place in my heart.  I loved seeing everyone and just having fun with them. I was very emotional that day.  It didn't help matters when Julie and Michele gave everyone a candle and started a prayer chain. The words, the blessings, the wishes, the prayers that everyone said were so overwhelmingly special to me.  I was doing great with controlling my tears... until it was my momma's turn. I LOST IT! She said she didn't have a prayer request- she just wanted to thank God for the blessing I am to her and for this miracle we're about to receive.  I couldn't control it-- I literally boohooed for ten minutes. There wasn't a dry eye in that room. It meant so much coming from my momma. Julie spoke up and said "well, that sums it up yall" And Michele ran out of the room. haha. After I got a hold of myself we resumed with the rest of the room (except for Crystal, she no longer could do it-- she was crying too much).  Everything that was said was extremely heartfelt and meant so much to me.  After the prayer chain, it was time for gifts. Oh my goodness, I got tons!!! I asked Crystal to help me open my gifts. It took forever since there were a lot. I am truly blessed beyond words and Madelyn is SPOILED already.  The shower ran over by an hour and a half, opps!  :) After the shower, we came home and unloaded the cars and Crystal and them came over to do momma's birthday cake. Then Crystal, the girls, and I started going through gifts, putting things away, and organizing and David put things together. We finished at 11pm... I was exhausted! It was such an amazing and blessed day.  I am extremely thankful.  Here are just a few pictures from the shower (David alone took 100+ pictures).

 

Tuesday, I got to see one of my best friends, Joy, who lives in Texas. She was in town for her sister's baby shower. She wanted to surprise me at mine but her sister's was the same day and time, hehe. It was sooo good seeing her! Joy and I have known each other for 15 years. I love and miss her so much.  Her mom, aunt, and Joy brought gifts for Madelyn, too. So sweet.

I had an appointment with the Anesthesiologist Thursday to discuss whether they could do an epidural/spinal tap or if they need to put me to sleep during my c-section. I was praying that he saw no issue with doing an epidural/spinal tap. I want to experience my sweet baby be born and to hear her first cry. He said he saw no concerns with doing a spinal tap and said they will let David go back to help hold me. Yayy! I was so worried they might put me to sleep. God's so good!

The nursery is coming together so well. It's BEAUTIFUL! My mom has been in there more than me fixing it up. It is amazing to think that it's my baby's nursery... Wow! We are pretty close to being ready for baby Madelyn. The only things we need are a crib mattress, swing, and a comforter set. I'm hoping to find a swing and the comforter set (that I want) at the Switch-A-Roo sale next weekend! Overall, I think I'm ready for Madelyn, well, as ready as I can be... I know I am ready to get this baby out. Between the pelvic pain and pressure, c'on March 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohh baby. I am officially tired of being pregnant. I hate to say that but I am, it hurts.  I'm big, I can't move, I can't breathe, and Madelyn is all cramped up.  However, I'd prefer not to go in labor and wait until my c-section...   Here are some newer pictures of the nursery:

My Sister made the beautiful letters!

It has been a very exciting week. I'll say it once again-- I AM BLESSED!  Overwhelmingly blessed. Thank you to everyone who came to the shower, who has bought gifts, who supports me and prays for us. We appreciate it more than you'll ever know.  Please keep praying for a safe rest of pregnancy, a smooth delivery, a healthy baby and Mommy, and a fast recovery.  Also, I'm determined to solely breastfeed, given my milk supply comes in well.  I know it's hard work, time consuming, and draining but the benefits definitely are worth it. I don't mind the hard work-- I am determined! It'd be the best for Madelyn and I want to create that bond and connection.  Please start praying that I am able to breastfeed, that Madelyn learns easily and fast, and I'll have the energy. Thank yall!