28 Years & 15 Doctor's Appointments Later

Today was my 28th birthday.  Not that I am trying to announce that to the world, but parts of this day won't make sense without knowing that!  My birthday unexpectedly started at 2:30 last night when I was abruptly awaken by the worst pain I can remember being in - cramping and contractions, shivering and sweating.  Barry was totally ready to take me to the hospital but I couldn't bear the thought of moving...let along getting out of bed.  After two hours of this - the intensity decreased as the time went on - I finally decided I needed to get up and eat some Cheerios.  Not sure where that came from, but I was starving!  

When I got to the kitchen, this is what I found...

A chocolate cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles...my FAVORITE!!  Barry had stayed up late after I went to bed last night and baked me this for my birthday.  He also wrote me the nicest note - I cried - and bought me Sawyer some December birthstone earrings that I will keep safe for her...on my ears...until she gets her ears pierced.  

So I ate my bowl of Cheerios (I ate the cake for breakfast #2) and finally was able to go back to sleep for an hour or so before enjoying my cake and heading to work.  

Since we had a doctor's appointment today I only worked part of the day.  I came home for a quick lunch, ran by the nail place for a quick manicure (if you haven't tried the Shellack (sp?) you need to!), then it was off to the doctor.

We had talked last week about possible inducing on December 1st, but decided that we would wait until our appointment this week to make that decision.  I was really hoping to not have to make the decision at all, but that was not the case.  We were faced with the decision to induce or not to induce.  When the doctor walked out of the room, I was totally emotional and indecisive (which is my MO these days).  After a few minutes of crying and "I don't know what I want's" we decided to go ahead and do it.  We are ready to meet our baby girl.

We left the doctor and I went and wandered the mall in a total fog for an hour or so while Barry went to finish up some things at work until it was time to go for our dinner reservation.  We enjoyed a nice dinner...just the two of us.

So we are heading to the hospital at midnight tonight.  I am totally overwhelmed with emotions - very excited, scared out of my mind, nervous and already exhausted.  I am thinking I will remain in this state for the next couple of days, or weeks more likely, but I am 100% certain that I have the best person by my side to go through this with.  

I have enjoyed my time being pregnant - some days more than others.  But, feel very thankful to have had a fairly easy pregnancy with no complications - praying delivery will go the same way!  

I am planning to update hopefully sometime this weekend - mostly for my own selfish benefit.  I want to write down all the details and remember every little thing about the next couple of days.  

Off to enjoy one more piece of cake...

Thankful to be 38 Weeks Pregnant

Kind of...its been a rough couple of days, but I am trying to keep in mind that the longer I am pregnant the better off Sawyer is.  It wouldn't be so bad except for this ridiculous cold I somehow caught which has made breathing and sleeping nearly impossible!  But we have had a great Thanksgiving break none the less!

I feel like this should post should probably be broken up into multiples since our weekend pretty much started on Wednesday, but instead its just going to be a reeeeeeally long one =)

My mom and sister Brie got to our house Wednesday before we got home from the doctor.  We went and did a little shopping at Walmart since I had zero fall decorations so that we could spruce things up before Thanksgiving.  I'd say we did a pretty good job considering it was the night before Thanksgiving at Walmart!

Thursday was great!  Brie and I went to the airport to pick up my grandma and when we got home, everything was done!  My kind of party hosting!  The day was filled with food...

Yes, it took 4 people to prepare the yams! 

Family...

Not sure what was going on with my phone in this picture... 

Should have taken this at the beginning of the day...I look exhausted...and I did nothing all day!

And napping...

We are so thankful that everyone was able to spend the day in Houston.  Definitely beat our original plan of turkey sandwiches by ourselves since we can't go anywhere!

Friday, Barry and my mom got all our the Christmas decorations down from the attic.  We started the day with two Christmas trees and ended the day with none.  The first one was Becky's from college - not sure how I ended up with it - but none of the lights worked so we decided it had served its purpose!  The second one, also a hand me down, looked like this...

Disaster.  I did do some shopping on Friday to pick up a few random things, including this new bed for Lori...which she loves and won't get out of.  Her Christmas toys came down from the attic and she loves those too!

We went for a long walk Friday evening, watched some movies and wrapped Christmas gifts.  Here are my pics at 38 weeks 1 day - taken right after a walk and no make up....looks great!

Saturday, Barry's mom, his sister Cara and her husband Derek came to visit us.  It was pouring down rain all day, but we still managed to get some shopping done.  I was on a mission to find a new Christmas tree, but no such luck.  We were able to find some other Christmas decorations though.  And, Barry's mom bought me an oak tree for out backyard for my birthday - I can't wait to have it in the yard!  We have no trees and even less shade so it will be a welcome addition!!  

After going on our second long walk of the day, we met up with our friends Matt & Hollie for dinner - we went for Mexican food - trying everything to get labor started to no avail!

But, we kept trying today.  After church, we ran a few errands - and finally found a tree! - walked two laps around Katy Mills and played some pretty intense games at the arcade.  Since I beat Barry at SkiBall and Basketball, I let him use the last of our credits for car racing.

  

All this walking and nothing to show for it, except a backache!  I started to decorate the tree tonight, but I am exhausted so it will have to wait for another day!

Now we are sitting by the fire very impatiently awaiting the arrival of our baby girl!  The contractions have picked up in intensity, but not frequency so it looks like we will be waiting at least a few days longer.  In the meantime, we are just enjoying our time together before we become a family of 3!

Doctor's Appointment #14

This might be our last one!  We had an appointment this afternoon and we are making some progress toward labor =)  So, it was a good one.  I think Sawyer was sleeping because her heart beat was only 131.  But, my blood pressure was low and I didn't gain any weight since last week.

I am 1.5 centimeters dilated (is that TMI to put on the internet?!?) which means that we now have the option to induce next week if we choose to.  Our doctor asked if we wanted to have a baby next Thursday and it totally freaked me out!!

We decided to wait to decide until after our appointment next Wednesday to make any decisions.  If I am dilated any more, we may go ahead and induce.  But, if nothing changes we will just keep on waiting!  I don't want to induce if there is no further progress because there is no need to put myself through a longer labor if I don't have to.  But, I do want to induce so all of our families can be here when Sawyer is born since they are all at least 2 hours away.  So, we will see!  We have a week or so to think about it - unless something happens before then!

Luckily our doctor is on call this weekend.  When we were leaving he told us he would see us next week unless we meet him at the hospital before then!  It could happen any time now - I got a manicure and pedicure yesterday and got my hair cut today so I am ready when she is! =)

Pumpkin Muffins

I made these muffins tonight in preparation for our company that is coming tomorrow - I thought they might make a quick and easy breakfast or snack.  And, let's be honest...I am obsessed with all things pumpkin.  Especially pie.  I can't wait to be eating it in less than 48 hours - yes, I am counting down.

I found this recipe on Livestrong and made one small change.  I tried this recipe last year in a loaf pan, but decided to go with muffins this year.  I liked this recipe because it uses whole wheat flour, olive oil and yogurt - a much healthier twist on baking!

You will need...

1 egg
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 3/4 cup Splenda (you could also use regular sugar if you don't have Splenda on hand)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 oz non fat plain yogurt (the original recipe called for vanilla, but I used plain & added extract - less sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon


Preheat oven to 350.  Beat together egg, oil, pumpkin, sugars, yogurt and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder & cinnamon.

Slowly add dry mixture to pumpkin mixture and blend together.

Once combined, evenly distribute into greased or paper lined muffin tins.

Bake for about 25 minutes.  Takes about 30 minutes in a 9x13 cake pan and closer to 40 or longer in a loaf pan.

ENJOY!


Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I have tons to be thankful for this year, especially for a husband who just vacuumed and mopped the house!!

37 Weeks

We are getting down to the wire!  Less than 3 weeks left to go...

Barry and I spent this weekend doing more stuff to get our house ready to bring Sawyer home...who knew there was so much to be done!!  Although, if you have a never ending to do list of things like cleaning out closets and organizing cabinets - having a baby is one way to get yourself going!

We also finished most of our Christmas shopping this weekend - such a great feeling - I intend to try this "not procrastinating to the last minute" thing again next year.

Here are my pics from 37 Weeks + 1 day...

Saturday, my friend Emily and her husband Dan were in town for a baby shower.  They are having a baby girl a few weeks after us.  Emily and I were roommates in college for a couple years.  We haven't seen each other in over a year - somehow - so we met for dinner and had a great time!

I can't wait for Sawyer & Charlotte to have a play date!

Looking forward to a short week of work this week, we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year.  My mom just called and we are having 17 people here!!!  But, she won't let me do anything but sit on the couch so it should be a fun & relaxing day hanging out with family =)

We go back to the doctor on Thursday this week - will update then.  I have a few recipes to put up too, hopefully I will at least get one done this week!

Doctor's Appointment #13

Back to the doctor again today...nothing new to report - except that I am now officially at full term.  There was no progress as far as labor in the last week, and our doctor doesn't think there will be for the next week either.  I was a little disappointed in that news because I am ready for Sawyer to be here, but  I am trying to keep in mind that it is still 3 weeks early.

She had the hiccups when we were listening to her heart beat today, which is always funny to hear.  Her heart beat was really strong today and fast - 156.  My blood pressure was still low and my weight is still climbing! 

We also talked about possible plans for induction if need be, but hopefully it won't come down to that!  We go back next Wednesday afternoon - right before I gain another 5 pounds on Thanksgiving =)

36 Weeks & Sawyer's Room is DONE!

We finally got the nursery done...with 4 weeks to spare!  And not even a full 4 weeks - I can't even believe my due date is in 3 weeks and 4 days!!

Another great weekend in the books...this was a long one for me.  I took the day off of work Friday to get some things done at the house - carpets cleaned, water softener fixed, washer fixed, touch up paint, cable fixed - fun things like that!

I also wanted to get some cooking done before Sawyer gets here since I am not thinking I will have as much time to cook.  Barry and I bought a deep freezer last week so I needed to fill it!  Our inside freezer isn't very big so between Barry's hunting, my cooking, and hopefully having some breast milk reserves - it is stuffed!

I spent about 7 hours in the kitchen on Friday and this was the result...

I made spaghetti sauce, a pot of beans, Gus's Casserole, Cheesy Chicken & Spinach, Cindy's Casserole, 5 Ingredient Low Carb Casserole, and "Sour Cream" Enchiladas.  It was quite the productive day!

Saturday my mom came down to help me finish up Sawyer's room and get everything organized because it was a major disaster!  We got everything washed, hung, folded and put away.  She was the HUGEST help all weekend - THANKS MOM!  We also ran some errands to get some odds and ends I still needed.

Another perk of being pregnant...close parking!

Barry and I totally forgot to take my pictures on Friday before he left town to go hunting so my mom took them for me before we went to dinner on Saturday.  36 Weeks & 2 days...

Sawyer is now the size of a watermelon...a fruit that makes sense!  I am still feeling really good and sleeping fairly well, some nights better than others, but it's not so bad.  I am pretty hungry most of the time, and still getting contractions quite often - usually at night.  She moves around a lot in the evenings when I finally sit down...its crazy to see my stomach moving around so much!

We had an AWESOME dinner down town Saturday night with some family that was visiting town and some that already lives here.  My dad's cousin Monica was in town working on a job and found this delicious seafood restaurant...I will definitely be going there again!

Today, my friend Laura Lynn invited my mom and I to go to the Nutcracker Holiday Market with her and our other friend Lindsey.  It was a really LONG day, but the shopping was great and I can't wait to go back next year.  We picked up some Christmas gifts and I got this super cute plaque made for Sawyer's room...

How perfect is that verse for her bird themed room?!?  Speaking of her room...IT'S DONE!  I still need to print some pictures to fill the frames, but other than that, it's ready to go.

View from the doorway

Someone snuck in this picture...what a creeper!  The painting that my cousin is doing will go right above the crib.

We bought those pictures on our trip to Key West and Barry made the headboard...he's so handy!

So there it is...I am really happy with the way it turned out.  We can't wait to bring Sawyer home...it's very surreal that we will be holding her in that chair in no time!

Doctor's Appointment #12

We went back to the doctor this morning for our 36 week appointment.  Cannot believe we are at 36 weeks!!  I gained 2 more pounds - about 20 total now - blood pressure was good and Sawyer's heart beat was 139.  That was the slowest we have ever heard it, but they said it was still good!  Our doctor guessed, based on feeling my stomach, that she is about 6.5-7 pounds which is on the smaller size of average - and I am TOTALLY okay with that!!  For my own selfish delivery reasons...

They gave us a history of all of the measurements/info from our prenatal appointments to take to the hospital with us.  We are on the lookout for contractions that are 5 minutes apart before we head that way.  My contractions are definitely coming more frequently and much more intense, but are no where near 5 minutes apart.

We start going every week now, and will hopefully have an ultrasound next week!  36 week update coming soon...which will hopefully include the final pictures of her nursery.  My mom is coming this weekend to help me get everything organized and ready!

35 Weeks & Baby Shower #4 (Yes, 4!)

The countdown is down to one hand!  We are definitely ready for Sawyer to join us, but its very surreal that it could happen at any time now.

She is still the size of a super large cantaloupe, but I feel like she is quickly out growing her space...especially when she kicks me in the ribs or elbows me in the bladder!  But, as long as she is growing I can't complain!  I am going to complain about my swollen hands and feet though...it finally happened. =(  So, my wedding ring is now hanging out in the safe for the next month or so.  On the bright side, my eyes are back to cooperating and I don't have to wear my glasses anymore, which is GREAT!

Barry and I took our last trip out of town this weekend - we went to Dripping Springs Friday after work to stay the weekend at my parents' house and for a shower that my family was hosting for us Saturday evening.  Here are my 35 week pictures after a 4 hour car ride that should have been 2.5 hours...I definitely look the part of an 8 month pregnant woman who just sat in the car for 4 hours!!

Not cute.  Barry and my Dad headed out for the deer lease as soon as we got there since it was opening weekend of deer season.  They came back in time for the shower, but went back as soon as it was over!  My mom, grandma and I spent the day shopping in Wimberley on Saturday while my sisters, cousins and aunt got ready for our book themed shower.

The invitation requested that all the guests bring their favorite child hood book - we got so many great books to read to our little girl!  My mom saved all of our books from when we were little so they were the decorations - it was so fun going through all the books we used to love - and even more fun when some of them ended up being presents for Sawyer!

The shower was awesome...I still can't get over the fact that we have had 4 amazing showers!  It was a couples' shower with great food, family and college football!  I somehow forgot to take a picture with all the hosts, but here are a few pics from the evening...

Everyone wrote a note to Sawyer on these book tags and put it in their book - so cute! 

Cupcakes by Brittney & Cake Balls by Brie

Barry & me in front of the Sawyer banner that Becky made

Abigail & me

Barry & Brody

My grandma still had this book from when I was little - it was one of my favorites!

And, now we are home washing Sawyer's new wardrobe!  We go back to the doctor on Thursday, then every week after that so I will update soon.  Off to put my fat feet up........