Baby...Balance...

So many b-words. I am very excited about the first b-word "baby". We had our doctor's appointment this week and everything is looking good. The heartbeat was strong and I am measuring right on target. Our prenatal class is going well. We learn a lot each week and there is always a lot of great discussion topics. We have a smaller class of only about 7 couples so we are able to ask lots of questions. We have been learning about breathing techniques, relaxation methods, and things that will happen at the hospital. This past week we talked about pain medication and it made me even more uncertain about what I will do. But I know when the time comes I will have the decision I need.


Certain aches and pains come and go each week. I guess that's just part of the process...it is pretty amazing that your body can create a baby in 9 months. So many things happen in such a short amount of time and there is such a blessing at the end. I have been having a lot of pelvic pressure which I found out is called "pelvic girdle pain". I have trouble putting my clothes on, my shoes on (anything that bears weight down on one leg) and I can barely turn over in bed without a screech as if I am not going to make it. My chiropractor is helping to relieve a lot of the pressure and I guess it is more common in pregnant women than I knew. It normally goes away after delivery so at least I know the discomfort is just for a short time.


The next b-word is a little more complicated...how do you find that balance??? With family, school (which will be over soon), work, my jewelry business, and all of the other things that come our way it almost seems impossible to find that balance. Then when we add baby to balance...we will have to attempt to find that all over again. I am trying to focus this year on putting the most important things first and trusting that the other things will fall into place.


I got a really great email this week about a child who asks his father how much money he makes an hour. The dad gets upset because he doesn't think it is necessary for the boy to ask such questions, finally the dad gives in and tells the boy $50 an hour. The boy then proceeds to ask the dad if he could borrow $25. The dad is once again upset that the boy is so concerned with money. He sends him to his room. After spending some time very upset...he decides maybe the boy really does need the money for something. He goes to give the boy the $25 only to find he already has $25. Once again the dad is upset until the boy puts the money together and asks if his dad can come home one hour early from work tomorrow because he would like to buy an hour of his time.


So in every area of our life, remember to take time for the important things. They are what make life worth while.

Third Trimester

Today I started my third trimester. It has gone by pretty quickly and I can't believe I only have about 12 weeks left. Then our little bundle of joy will be here. Our baby class is going well. The first two classes have been very informational and we are looking forward to our last four classes. It definitely gives us something to look forward to as we approach our last few weeks.

Through our birthing class we will be creating a birth plan...obviously it is more of a preference sheet than anything. You never know what is going to happen so you really have to be prepared for anything. There are several choices to make the major one being: do I want to have an epidural or go without the medication? Some days I think one thing while other days I think another. There are obviously pros and cons to both option. Luckily in our prenatal class we will be discussing both options. Hopefully I will have an answer soon!

I have also been reading lots of breastfeeding as I am going to work hard to do that for Jackson. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding and all three of my sisters have had lots of success so I believe I will as well.

Jackson is getting big and is moving around all of the time. I love it when he moves because it reminds me that I have a little life inside of me. We can't wait to meet him and see his face and learn all about his personality! Our nieces and nephews are also very excited to meet him...Kylah already calls him "Jack" and my niece Anna said "I don't like the name Jackson, I think we should name him Clifford". I couldn't get Jason to agree to that one :) Judah will come up to my belly and say "babeee". My big belly is getting in the way of picking up the kids which makes me sad and them even more sad.

Have a great week. I will update you after my doctor's appointment next week!

Prenatal Class

We are excited that tonight we start our first prenatal class. Although I have been reading many books (like 8 to 10 of them) on babies, labor and delivery, and bringing your baby home...it will be interesting to take the class and see how things work at Mercy. Two of my sisters had their babies at Mercy this past year and loved it so I am excited that I have chosen Mercy as well. I heard the nurses are great and with their new addition the rooms are very nice, too.

We have chosen the name for our little one...should I share it or not?!?!? Most of you may have already heard us mention it...Jackson Robert. He may be nicknamed Jack but we will have to see. It is nice to have a name to match with our little one as it makes it a lot more personal when we talk about him. He is growing for sure...or at least I am. It is gradually getting hard to sleep and do a lot at one time without getting pretty tired.

The weeks are going fairly quickly right now and hopefully that continues. Have a great day!

Aches and Pains

Some days it amazes me that women have more than one child. While I have not had many pregnancy troubles...the little things can really start to add up. The typical pains that go along with carrying the extra weight...such as back and leg pain. Then not being able to sleep at night because it gets so hard to get comfortable. I have also a new found friend, heartburn...never had it before now but it lingers with me just about everyday. I guess I can be thankful that it should just be temporary. Lastly, I have what I like to call pregnancy nose drip, or a constant runny nose. I guess it is formally called "pregnancy rhinitis" where you have congestion throughout your pregnancy. Not a horrible thing, just a plain old nuisance. The flu went through our family over the past week. I think we are in the clear now but it was a rough couple of days.

Overall, things are going well. I have started on my to-do projects (like organize the Tupperware cabinet) and it feels good to get a few of those things done. We started our baby registry which was a little overwhelming to decide what products you can't live without and then what brand you should get. Then what color, size, shape, etc. of those things you need. I have to say that doing your bridal registry is a lot easier...it's not quite as tense. Now we have another life in our hands that we want to take the best possible care of.

I am looking forward to Spring although it may still be a few weeks/months away but it is definitely something to look forward to!