Time for a me-update. Since you asked... ;)
I am honestly blessed with quite easy pregnancies. I did feel nauseous for about 15 weeks with this one, but never actually got sick. What a blessing! Even at 37 weeks, I am entirely capable of forgetting I'm pregnant. I'm not saying that happens often, but it does happen. I'm not miserable during the day, but have a horrible time trying to sleep. I've nearly finished my second bottle of Tums for this pregnancy alone. I had my first and only other bottle while I was pregnant with Eli. This time, I doubled my need. :) Yay for extra calcium! Luckily I'm weird and don't hate the taste of the berry ones. Heartburn is a Top 3 cause of lack of sleep, in addition to 30 lbs of extra weight just being uncomfortable and the common pregnancy-insomnia. I make LOTS of lists on my phone at 3 AM.
My part-time work has more or less meant 32-35 hours a week these last few months. Add to that a very demanding toddler who behaves best when I'm able to spend time with him and not make him entertain himself while I'm on the computer, and that makes for a pretty exhausting day. Oh, I also received a new laptop for work, which you'd think would be a great thing, but it's actually resulted in lots of extra work trying to get it all set up with the applications I need and getting my files transferred, etc. I really despise sitting in front of my computer - hence the lack of facebook or blogging presence.
There were a few months where I spent some time researching pregnancy depression because I just felt like I was in a funk. Lots of time spent praying for a more others-focused mentality and for peace in the present God has us living in. Luckily, I serve a gracious and loving God that has made his presence and influence in my life known with answers to tiny prayers (the baby kicking as I pray for her, etc.) and big prayers (finding more joy in my days!, healthy baby, etc).
For a brief baby update:
I started measuring 1 week behind schedule at the end of December. The next appointment, my OB thought she felt the baby's head was "up" rather than "down." As a result, she ordered a growth profile ultrasound in order to measure the baby's size and confirm her positioning. As I had prayed and believed, she was head down (she just has buns of steel!), but she did measure a bit small for her 'age'. At 36.5 weeks, she was measured as weighing 5 lbs, 4 oz. This put her in the 8.5% on the growth chart. 10% is considered a "small" baby, but 5% is considered dangerously small and I would have been induced immediately. The concern is that the baby is not getting what she needs from me and would grow better once delivered. Since my baby is not in the dangerously small category, I am having to travel to Tulsa twice a week for ultrasounds and appointments with my OB to confirm that there are still no warning signs of problems. The prayer is that she is simply a genetically small baby! Eli was 7 lbs, 1 oz at 40 weeks, so I have a feeling I just simply make small babies! But, I would much rather be over cautious on this sweet baby's health than otherwise. And, I get to see her sweet face twice a week now!
My OB says they'll likely induce at 38/39 weeks, even if she continues to "test" perfectly during the biophysical profile ultrasounds. I'm officially 37 weeks! That means this baby will likely be here within the next 2 weeks! holy SMOKES!
This is getting too long, so I'll wrap it up. If you're still reading, I love you! :)
I do tend to struggle with perfectionism, so I have a hard time not feeling like I am somehow at fault for her size (despite the fact that I've put on 30 lbs!) and for the need for this extra monitoring. The effort to get to Tulsa for appointments despite work and Eli does wear me out. I'd love your prayers for continued healthy baby reports. I'm dying to meet Kate Olivia Shelby (Name announcement!).
Hopefully I'll be able to write one last Eli post before he has a sibling! He is such a joy - Bill and I are honestly not sure how we'll love anyone else just as much! Of course, we know we will, but it just seems impossible! Bill commented how Eli already has him wrapped around his finger... he knows he's doomed with a baby girl!! That makes me tear up. :)
Love you all! So, so sorry for my absence. This blog is just as much therapy for me as a fun project, so I'm hopeful I can hang in there!
I'll end with a picture with the hostesses from my sweet shower today! Love these girls!
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| Please ignore my see-through dress. Hate it when that happens! |
Cris
