Christmas Came Early!

I'm pleased to introduce Isabel Dorothy, 

born December 15th, 5:45 AM, 8lbs 2oz and 20 inches long.

She is the new love in my life and the reason I have been absent from my blog.

I'm pretty sure you won't hold it against me ;-)

Isabel wasn't due until January 2nd, however on December 8th I was diagnosed with preeclampsia, and on December 14th, my doctor decided to induce me at 37w2d since the baby was considered full term. And even though Isabel was early, she was still a big girl! I can only imagine how much she would have weighed if she had gone till her due date. My guess is close to 10lbs.

My husband and I are getting used to being parents and having our world revolve around our little bundle of love. I could stare at her for hours. I know that every mother feels this way, but I think she is the most beautiful baby in the world. She truly takes my breath away.

I have two last projects I hope to get around to soon before I finally post her nursery reveal. I will probably take the next few weeks off from my blog so that I can enjoy being a mommy, and perhaps clean the house which looks like a tornado hit it, but I promise to return, so please check back!

xoxox

Jenny

A Little Christmas Inspiration

I must apologize for being absent as of late. Today I reached the 37 week mark and I'm definitely feeling it! I'm tired, uncomfortable and just plain slow. To top it all off, last Wednesday my feet and ankles ballooned to about three times their normal size. And Thursday when I went in for my first antenatal appointment (where they monitor the baby's heartbeat), my feet were still swollen and my blood pressure was around 148 laying down. The nurse of course called my doctor pronto and I was ordered straight home to rest for the weekend. Do not pass go-do not collect $200. I go in for another antenatal test on Monday and see my OB on Tuesday, so we will see if I am ordered on home or bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy. Fingers crossed that I am not, because I just might go stir crazy!!

On another note, I hope to post pictures of our home decked out for Christmas soon. I just need to make the house presentable for posting (i.e. clear off kitchen island of all the paper clutter, put away the rest of the shower gifts that have been living on the dining room table, etc.).

And the nursery is almost ready for it's final reveal. The rug and ottoman finally arrived last week!

Until then, here is a little Christmas Inspiration compliments of Pinterest (by the way, if you have an iPhone; which Santa got me for Christmas and let me open early, you MUST download the Pinterest app!)

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Jenny

Pregnancy Update

4D Ultrasound taken at 27w2d

My OB sent me in for another 4D ultrasound to have some fibroid tumors checked on. I happen to have 4 of the suckers, but thankfully they have not grown or moved. Before we did IVF, I had surgery to have a large fibroid tumor removed, and my OB decided to leave the smaller fibroids so as not to cut into my uterus too much. Now we just need to watch them and hope they don't obstruct the birth canal. If they do, I'll have to have a c-section,which I'm really hoping to avoid.

Our first 4D ultrasound at around 4 1/2 months produced some freakish pictures. The baby looked more alien than anything. However, our second 4D ultrasound at just under 7 months produced some astonishing pictures (above). We could see her cute button nose, tiny little mouth, precious eyelids, amazing hands. We couldn't get over how detailed the 4D ultrasound was! We just had our third 4D ultrasound today at 33w3d and the pictures weren't as clear as my last ultrasound, probably because the baby has grown and is more crammed inside my tummy. My husband and I were both shocked when the technician told us how big the baby was....6 lbs 10 oz! And I still have 7 weeks to go!! Oh my! And surprise, surprise, she has a full head of hair. She probably gets that from her momma ;-)

The pregnancy is progressing as it should be. I'm growing, although I'm not huge I've been told. However, I feel huge!  Sleeping has become a challenge. I now have to sleep with a pillow between my legs for comfort and find myself tossing and turning A LOT. And bending over to pick something off the floor has become just about impossible and I'm sure hilarious for all who witness me trying too do so. I find myself grunting and groaning when getting up off the couch and out of my car, which my husband loves to tease me about. I'm also tired A LOT, and hungry A LOT. The baby seems to be sucking the energy and food out of me. My plan is to work right up till Christmas and I just hope I have enough energy to do so!

Jenny

P.S. The nursery is coming along. Just need to add some decorative touches here and there. I hope to post pictures of the finished room soon!

Pregnancy Update

I'm just a little over 6 months along now, and 25 lbs heavier.
I will take 25 lbs over 60 or 80.
I am still not used to my new fuller face.
I am enjoying the rounder belly, but not the rounder face.
I suppose that makes me vain.
I have come to the harsh realization that not a lot of stores carry maternity wear.
But I am doing my best to look cute and fashionable while pregnant.

I love watching my belly grow, bigger and bigger. It's a beautiful thing!

I feel our little girl move around constantly. She's an active one.
We have a named picked out. Isabel Dorothy.
After my husband's grandma (Isabel) and my grandma (Dorothy), who both passed away several years ago.
I know that they would have loved meeting their great-granddaughter.

I have tried to go off Prednisone 3 times now (3 months, 4 months and 6 months)
but every time my Hyperemesis kicks in full gear and I get horribly sick.
Like puke my guts out 7 times in 12 hours sick.

So I am resigned to staying on Prednisone for the rest of my pregnancy.
Which is no harm to the baby.
It would just be nice to know that I was rid of my Hyperemesis
at 6 months...or 7 months...without the aid of steroids.

But again, I am SO THANKFUL that there is something I can take to keep my Hyperemesis at bay.

The crib arrived the other day and the hubster and I plan on assembling it this weekend.
I can't wait to dress the crib up with the bedding I got from Target.

I have also started the hoop art project for above the crib. I will post pictures once it's all up.

We also ordered the glider and ottoman,which take 8-12 weeks to make.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed they arrive before the baby does!

So the nursery is slowly taking shape. And I am getting bigger by the day.
I promise to share pictures as the nursery comes together.

Jenny

Thoughts On Being Pregnant

On Sunday, I will be 4 months 3 weeks along.

I find it too hard to count in weeks. Math is not my strongest suit.

I can't believe I'm half way there.

I swear my belly grew 10 times in size overnight.

Is there a gremlin in there?

I keep hearing about this flutter I will feel the first time I feel the baby move.

I can't wait to feel the flutter.

I love that my belly finally looks like a baby bump, and not a beer belly.

And now that I have a belly, I am finding bending over a bit challenging.

My husband is already putting on the sympathy weight. Because he feels obligated to drink my share of the wine.

I'm still on steroids for my hyperemesis. I've tried to taper down twice, but got real sick again. So I guess I need to stay on them a little longer.

Without the steroids I would likely be in the hospital or on home health care at home, so I am thankful for them. 

And because I am on the steroids I feel GREAT. 

And no, I do not have any super power strength. I'm not taking those kinds of steroids.

I love being pregnant and can't wait to meet our little girl come January.

xoxo,

Jenny

Linked up at