39 weeks and a recap

We are nearing the finish line and this mommy cannot wait!  I will be honest, this has been a rough pregnancy. I spent the first 15 weeks struggling to keep food down (morning, noon and night). I also had crazy headaches and needed two naps a day. The second trimester brought lots of relief from the actual sickness but I was still pretty tired. When you have an active toddler you just keep trucking along. I was so glad that he started school this year. I have exercised the majority of my pregnancy (I think I only missed five weeks total: vacation, colds, exhaustion and slipped disk in my neck were the causes for those five weeks). I really think keeping at it in the gym helped me keep up with Isaiah. The third trimester brought about a whole new level of exhaustion and by early December I got a slipped disk in my neck. I spent a week in bed and began physical therapy. After three weeks of therapy my range of motion returned to my neck but I noticed weakness in my left hand shortly followed my numbness. I am exhausted!  The last 8 days have been filled with contractions and false alarms. All of this to say, I still have a smile on my face because every day is one day closer to meeting the newest member of our family. I can't wait to see who she looks like and get to know her personality. Come on baby girl!  Mommy is READY to hold you and snuggle you. 

False alarm. 

39 weeks. 

I have worked hard to eat healthy and guzzle my water. This week I am splurging!  Sorry doc!  

Nursery Progress

I have decided this nursery may always be a work in progress, just like our home. However, at 38 weeks and 5 days I have decided for now it is done. I love how it all came together. Now we just need a baby!  Hurry up Isabella!  

I wanted to paint the rocker but we never got around to it. Also in search of a taller lamp for the side table. 

Build-a-Bella-Bear

With Isabella's due date quickly approaching I decided to take Isaiah to build-a-bear so he could make her a special gift and bring it to the hospital on her BIRTHday. My friend Emily shared this idea with me and I loved it!  I fully expected to come home with a blue dinosaur dressed in camo but I was ok with it. I decided that this was Isaiah's special gift and he could make it the way he wanted it. 

Step 1 :  choose your animal. Much to my surprise Isaiah looked ALL over for the "pink teddy bear". 

Step 2:  add a voice box. Isaiah chose the "giggle" box so he could "make bewwa laugh!

Step 3:  choose a heart and stuff your bear. When Isaiah picked the heart I asked him if he wanted to hold it and say a special prayer. He said yes, love his little heart. "Dear God, please keep Bewwa safe and help me be a good big brother. Amen". 

Step 4:  give your bear a bath (this was his favorite part)

Step 5:  dress your bear. Isaiah went with the LOVE shirt. So fitting if you ask me. 

Step 6:  birth certificate time 

Step 7:  box up your bear (and let mommy pay $$$$) 

Off we go!  Isaiah is ready to meet his little sister.  Notice the pink magic wand he added. I asked him why and he said "to make her stop crying". Wow, I hope that thing really works!  

Cousin Love

Uncle Bubba and Bryant have been in town visiting and we have been loving our time with them. So glad they are moving back soon. Isaiah loves playing with his cousin.  We missed Aunt Amber but can't wait to see her in March. 

Mike and bubba even got in some brew time. 

Bowling

I took Isaiah bowling with some of his friends last week. It was so much fun. He is still talking about it. 

This was a great way to beat the cold weather. Now we have to work on waiting our turn. It's just so hard. Hahaha!

Happy New Year

Isaiah rang in "noon" years with his friends at Kids Play. They had hats, horns, parades, snacks and sparkling grape juice. It was quite chaotic but the kiddies had a great time. 

That night Gigi came over to play with Isaiah so Mike and I could have some adult time. We went to dinner with five other couples at Mesquite Chophouse in Germantown. Ahhhhhmazing!  This is the best meal I have had in a very long time. The company was the best and the food was beyond good. I had a bleu cheese wedge salad, lobster Mac and cheese and a lobster stuffed filet. There really are no words to describe how good that steak and salad were. I woke up the next morning thinking about it. Hahahaha!  

We were home by 1030 so we cozied up in our pjs and rang in the new year on the couch. Then went straight to bed. My how times have changed. 

Happy 2014!  We are excited for the new adventures God has planned for us this year. 

37 weeks

Dear Isabella,

   Mommy is ready when you are!  You have stayed nice and cozy in my belly while you grow big and strong. We had an ultrasound this week and noticed that you are transverse (laying across my belly instead of head down). My prayer is that you flip into the correct position but I am trusting God in this. If a c section is His plan then that's what we will do. I have been really uncomfortable the last few weeks and sleep is getting harder and harder to come by. Your big brother must sense that a change is coming because he has been super clingy and extra whiney. You will soon learn that mommy can tolerate a lot, but whining is not one of those things. The ultrasound showed that you already have a good start on hair and you are weighing in around 6 1/2 pounds. We are so excited to meet you and hope that you don't take as much time as your brother (he didn't arrive until 41 weeks and 4 days). Your nursery is almost finished, just have to hang a chandelier and move a nightstand in. 

Here you are all squished up in my ribs. 

These sweet little toes have become dangerous weapons! 

And here is my busting belly. Isaiah jumps on you A LOT. 

I was pretty hormonal yesterday and had some anxiety after my doctor mentioned a c section. I cannot have an epidural because of a prior back surgery so if we have a c section I have to be put under and we will miss your birth. It mostly makes me sad and little scared. I gave myself some time to cry and then I opened my Bible. God's promises always comfort me at my weakest moments. 

I hope you always find strength, wisdom, security and love in His words to you!