Baby Mains #1 Pregnancy Memories

As we anxiously (and not so patiently!) await the arrival of our first child, Dee and I wanted to spend some time capturing some of our memories of this first pregnancy. We're certain we'll have so many special memories with Ava and our future children that soon we'll forget nearly everything about this pregnancy...so, here we are documenting them forever to remember! We also thought it would be fun to each do this separately and then combine :)

Stephanie's Memories:

• The day I suspected I was pregnant, took the test thinking "there's no way," only to find two very bold lines appear...the feeling in my heart is one I'll never forget. Falling to my knees shortly thereafter to thank The Lord for this incredible blessing I'll never forget either
• Surprising Dee with the pregnancy test wrapped up as a birthday present - his response to me handing him the wrapped present..."Hun, you shouldn't have!" If only I were witty enough to respond with "you did it to me!" A phrase I've since used countless times :)
• Dee and I telling my parents they are going to be grandparents via Face Time....being able to actually see their reaction! They were watching a movie and eating pizza and we told them that Paisley had something to show them, so we put the camera on Paisley who had a sign around her neck reading "I'm going to be a big sister!" They said "no way!" and cried and kissed each other and told us how incredibly excited they were. 
• Seeing baby for the first time...forever captured in this video :) there are no words to describe the feeling of seeing what's growing inside you...an incredible miracle! And seeing her bounce was just too cute!

• Getting the phone call on a Friday night in October (~11 weeks pregnant) from my endocrinologist that my routine lab work came back with extremely elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone levels - indicating a tumor growing on one of my parathyroid glands and Dee rushing me to the ER
• Flying down to Orange County at 12 weeks pregnant to see one of the best perinatologists to figure out what to do about my "hyperparathyroidism" that was never supposed to allow me to get pregnant. It was then that I received confirmation I would need to have surgery or lose my baby.
• Having the parathyroidectomy the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at 16 weeks pregnant at UCSF...my parents flying in and doing their very best to take my mind off worrying about my 80% chance of miscarrying and undergoing serious surgery while pregnant by putting us up in the Ritz at Union Square and taking me maternity clothes shopping.
• Going to the specialty ultrasound boutique the Friday after Thanksgiving with Dee and my family where we got to see baby, and the relief I felt seeing she was alive and had survived my body trying to kill her! We also got confirmation that she was a GIRL!!!
• Dee getting to feel and see baby kick for the first time in January
• Getting miraculously cleared from Vasa Previa by my paranatoligst in February - hurray for the chance at a normal birth!!
• My baby shower thrown by my incredible friend Teri, which my mom, mother in law and two aunts flew in for - making it all the more special. It was also special for my mom and mother in law to be able to feel baby Ava kick :)
• Putting together the nursery with Dee - I so love how he cared about every piece of it. He even painted four different shades of pink on the wall so we could be certain to get the perfect shade!
• Buying maternity clothes - why didn't I buy them sooner? Rest assured, I'll be wearing them for the rest of my life....comfiest dresses ever! I have lived in dresses even through the winter, with the exception of a few leggings.
• Cravings: strawberries, vanilla almond granola, bagels and cream cheese, and more strawberries! Once getting cleared of gestational diabetes, I've definitely indulged in Cold Stone's Cookie Dough Ice Cream a time or two or ten as well. ;)

Dee's Memories:

• I came home from a day at work to find Steph with a surprise birthday present.  Opening the gift, it was a pregnancy test... and it was positive!  At first I thought it might be Steph trying to get my hopes up, but when she confirmed it was real, I was completely overjoyed.  Best birthday gift ever!
• I couldn't wait to tell our families.  For the parents and siblings that had iPhones, we made a cute little poster for Paisley to hold that said "I'm going to be a big sister"  When we got to FaceTime with them... of course they thought we were getting another puppy!  Then when it sunk in, there was a lot of happy congratulating, and maybe a few joyful tears.
• The Bounce - when we were able to see Ava for the second time, the doctor was beginning the ultrasound and pointing things out for us.  All of the sudden, she did a big bounce!  It just reminded us of the incredible person we were able to create and that she may already have a personality. :)  Lucky for us, we even got it recorded on video (above).
• While Steph was at the UCSF Hospital, the doctor told us that the surgery itself would only take 20 minutes, but then there would be some additional time for sutures and cleanup.  So Steph's parents and I were in the waiting room anxiously awaiting any news from the doctor.  I went up to the desk after an hour to see if she had left any notes of progress with them, but there wasn't anything.  After 3 hours, I go back to the front desk and ask again, and they said they just got out of surgery, and the doctor is making her way down to see us right then.  I was so relieved when the doctor said everything went fabulously, and the parathyroid hormone dropped right away!  I knew that Steph would be lonely and scared being by herself, so we went up to see her right away.  The only thing left to get over was the recovery, but I knew that everything was okay. 
• Feeling Ava kick for the first time - It was so incredible to be able to (almost) physically touch her and see her presence.  It reminded me of the greatest blessing that God has provided for us.
• Being cleared of Vasa Previa - Just one more hurdle that had gotten in our way, but again it gave us great perspective of how God is blessing us.
• Finishing the nursery - Both of us had put in days and days of effort into making the nursery perfect.  Steph had the master plan worked out in her mind, and I did my best to make it so. 
• First small contraction - when Steph said that she was feeling some contractions my heart jumped and I got into "coach" mode, asking for how long did they last, and getting her to use her deep breaths to tell me when they start and stop.  This was the point where it really sunk in that we were going to be parents to a baby soon, and I couldn't wait for her to be here.
  
   

   

   

Baby Mains #1 Maternity Photo Shoot

We're really glad we decided to do professional maternity pictures - we've already printed our favorite to canvases that are hung in the nursery. Here are our favorites from the photo shoot.

For those of you in the Roseville area, Donna Beck is truly an amazing photographer! We can't wait to see how Ava's newborn photos turn out next!

39 Weeks & Nearly 6 Days...But, Who's Counting?!

As I finish typing this blog post (it takes a lot of starting and stopping due to the numb fingers....lovely pregnancy symptom), we're 18 hours away from baby's due date of May 14th!

Am I excited? I was...until I read that less than 10% of first time mothers deliver on their due date, and that more than 50% deliver the week between 41-42. WHAAAAAAT?!?!? You mean I could still be hobbling around feeling like death for another two weeks 1 day and 6 hours?!?! No no no no no no no....I won't do it! Get her OUT!

That's kind of what goes on in my head :)

In reality, I am so immeasurably thankful to God that a. this baby actually survived my body legitimately trying to kill her the first 4 months, and 2. she's made it full term and, from what the doctors can tell, is perfectly healthy. PRAISE GOD!

Also in reality, my patience is wafer thin and my tolerance for feeling like a 230 pound geriatric obese whale is seriously waning. I just want to hold my baby!

The, let's just call it, "discomfort" (though, that's putting it quite mildly) has actually taken away much of my anxiety about labor. I'm ready for whatever amount of pain lies ahead of me, as long as it means my baby girl is mere hours from being in my arms. I am a bit nervous given she's appears to have her daddy's genes in terms of size...it's looking like she will be a 8.5+ pound baby (Dee was a 9.5 pound baby, while I was 7 pounds (and two weeks late to boot))!

Here she and I are at 39 weeks (don't mind the furry photobomber) :)

I pray every day that today is the day she decides to make her entrance. Aside from the "discomfort" and lack of patience in wanting to meet my baby, I am extremely emotional these past two weeks or so. If one more WOMAN says something to me about my baby being big/huge, me being huge, labor being far away because I'm still carrying high....or any other comments that only add to my anxiety, I will seriously snap. No one has said anything remotely uplifting to me - I'd rather people not say anything at all!! That last month of pregnancy, all any pregnant woman wants to hear is "you're so close!" and "congrats!, I bet you can't wait!" I'll be sure to remember this experience so that when I see women about to pop, I can lift their spirits by saying something positive and uplifting.

Yesterday, May 11th, was my very first mother's day. It was so special, despite the fact that she didn't want to make that day her birthday :)

Dee got me a very thoughtful gift - a bunch of bath and body products knowing I've had to put my love of scalding hot baths on hold these last 10 months (seriously, I took them EVERY day). I'm very much looking forward to using them! And Ava got me a sweet book that I can't wait to read to her.

Did you know that ~60% of women believe mothers day counts even if you're "only" pregnant, while that same percentage of men don't think it counts? Lots of first time pregnant MOMS out there were disappointed to not be celebrated yesterday based on that poll. I'm glad I married one of the men in that 40% that know much better. My child is alive inside me, living off me (taking ALL my energy), and due to be born any day/hour/minute now...if that doesn't make a woman a mother, what does?! So, make sure you say Happy Mother's Day to all your first time pregnant friends and family out there...

Here's to hoping one of next posts is that baby has arrived!!! :)

Preparing for Baby's Arrival ~ 38 Weeks!

I don't know about you, but I've always heard women complain about how "miserable" that last month or two or pregnancy is. And I've always had two thoughts in my mind in response (though never voiced :)...I mean, you'd be crazy to argue with a pregnant woman!)...1. Miserable?! How could anyone describe the greatest blessing on this earth as "miserable"?! And, 2. Oh, come on...billions of women all around the world do this, how bad can it possibly be?!

Well, let me just be honest...it's miserable. Utterly miserable. I can't stand or walk for very long at all because I have plantar fasciitis from all the extra weight. I can't sleep because my hips get numb from all the weight on them, and my arms and hands go numb from what I assume is the same reason...and, best part is, they stay numb ALL DAY...making it painful to type, write, grab...do anything. I'm utterly exhausted from only sleeping 20-30 minutes at a time (I know...it's good preparation for baby coming!). At 16 weeks, I had my neck sliced open to remove a tumor, and honestly...recovering from that was not as miserable as this. But, believe me, being honest about how it feels doesn't make me any less grateful to God for bestowing this blessing upon me and it sure doesn't take away the knowledge of knowing how truly blessed I am to be able to carry our own child. It's miserable, but it's absolutely worth it.  So, negative as though I may sound, believe me I realize how special of a blessing this is, and I'll take all the pain (and pounds) it takes.

We're officially 1.5 weeks away from May 14th...and all I can think is "please, please, please little Ava, please don't make us wait any longer than May 14th! Mommy and Daddy are so ready to meet and love on you! And, daddy is really looking forward to a break from 24/7 massage therapist duty!

We had our 38 week OB appointment this week...so far, it looks like she's tucked in there tight and not coming out any time soon. Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Already like her daddy...late to everything. I kid,...no, but seriously, he is late to almost everything....drives me nuts, but I love him. ;)

Here she and I are at 38 weeks. Nothing new to report, other than she has increasing episodes of hiccups. Some days she gets 2-3 episodes of them!

I've been off work for a little over two weeks now...honestly, I don't know how I could work right now with all the pain (especially the numb fingers making it impossible to feel keys while typing...this post has taken me hours of typing a little at a time), so I am so thankful I can be off the month prior to her coming. I had all these lofty plans for nesting, cooking, cleaning...hahaha, oh how naïve I was! I should have listened to all those women who told me how I would feel! I'm lucky if I can have two productive hours a day before I'm writhing in pain.

Over the past two weeks, between trying to nap every chance I get, I have at least made some progress:

• Our hospital bags are packed! I did a plethora of research and compiled what I believe are the prime hospital bags...I'll do another post on them!
• I made a couple of freezer meals...and they are yummy! Best part is these recipes make 2 batches, so I've been able to use one for dinner that day and then freeze one for when Dee and I are zombies that cannot manage to cook, but want a health meal (luckily, we have family staying with us for two weeks so we should have help with meals to accommodate our small stockpile in our freezer)
• I've washed all of Ava's clothes, blankets, burp pads, cloth diapers, etc. Yes, we've decided to try cloth diapering and have chosen BumGenius Freetime...I'm actually really, truly excited to try them and am praying they work for us...not only will it save us a couple thousand dollars, but tremendously make an impact on the environment too! But, we'll see...if they don't work, I ain't sticking to it.
• I've prepared all the postpartum healing items...thank you pinterest for all the inspiration!
• I'm about 75% done with spring cleaning...complete with cleaning our air vents (ewww....they looked perfectly clean from the outside, but gross...take those suckers down and clean them once a year!), cleaning all our blinds and window coverings, cleaning doors (you wouldn't believe the dust that accumulates on the ridges if you have fancy designer doors like we do!). Next is all the normal stuff...vacuuming, mopping, etc. and shampooing using our new Mr. Rug Doctor! I'm soooooo excited. Seriously, TLC needs to create a show called Extreme OCD and the first episode can star me - the crazy OCD person who gets pregnant and her OCD turns her even more crazy. Every single drawer, cabinet, shelf, etc. in this house is 100% clean and perfectly organized. ;)

We are both so excited and anxious to meet our precious girl. Time cannot go by fast enough. I don't understand the comments of "cherish these last few weeks," but perhaps I will later. We'll leave you with my favorite picture perhaps of all time. My amazing husband who is going to be the very best daddy reading to his precious little girl/my bump :)