31 Weeks

                                                             31 weeks pregnant! ♥
How Far Along: 31 weeks

Size of Baby: Weighs as much as four navel oranges, over sixteen inches head to heel. 

Total Weight Gain: 25lbs, up a pound since last week.

Gender: GIRL. ♥

Movement: Kicking like crazy! Some of them are starting to hurt and make me jump but they're still wonderful. 

Sleep: It's pretty good, I wake up a lot to go to the bathroom but it's okay, last week sleep was just awful!!!! But so far it's been going good for the most part this week.

Maternity Clothes: I pretty much only want to wear leggings or dresses, they're the most comfortable for me. But my maternity jeans are okay. Not super uncomfortable. :)

Symptoms: I've been having a lot of contractions, none today but for the past 5 days they've been really uncomfortable. Yesterday I had to go to hospital because they just kept getting more intense and I had signs of preterm labor. Once they got an IV in me though it almost immediately helped me. They also were monitoring Brielle's heartbeat constantly from noon when I got there until 6:30pm when they let me go home. I also had a monitor for the contractions so they could keep track of them and how big they were. The main thing we were watching for was if they didn't start getting smaller or if they started on a consistent pattern which neither of those things happened which was really great. Praise Jesus for taking care of Brielle and I. ♥ My mom and Spencer also spent the whole day with me. They helped feel relaxed and calm.

                                              When we got there, I was in a lot of pain.

                                       A little before we left, obviously feeling a lot better. :)

Cravings: DEVILED EGGS! No clue why, haha!

What I miss: Not feeling like such a loser, I'm way to overly emotional and annoying. I just want to be nice again!!

Best Moment from the Past Week: CHRISTMAS&FAMILY!!!

What I Am Looking Forward To: New Year's Eve, so excited for the new year and everything it will bring. :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

30 weeks ♥

                                                           30 weeks pregnant! ♥
How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of Baby: Weighs as much as a head of cabbage, she's around 3lbs now.

Total Weight Gain: 24lbs still, haven't gained since last week.

Gender: GIRL!

Movement: She's crazy! She moves all the time and just kicks, somersaults and anything else she can do in there. She's extremely active at night when I'm just relaxing and still. I'm assuming it's because when I'm still she has more room to move. I can't wait to see her punch and kick her little arms and legs!

Sleep: It was bad in the beginning of the week but now I've been sleeping pretty soundly again. I haven't been waking up more than once which is really nice.

Maternity Clothes: This week I wore a couple of my pre-pregnancy jeans again just because I don't have many maternity pairs. They definitely aren't as comfortable!

Symptoms: My hips have been killing me. They hurt so bad this last Saturday I literally had to lay in bed all day icing them and stretching. It hasn't been that bad since then but for a couple hours each day I've been pretty uncomfortable but I'm still able to move around and walk unlike Saturday.

Cravings: Any cold ice-y things!! Slurpees, slushies, milkshakes and smoothies. Pina Colodas are top of the list right now. ♥

What I Miss: Not being so uncomfortable, I miss not being so clumsy and slow.

Best Moment from the Past Week: Brielle's crazy acrobats!

What I Am Looking Forward To: Just everything! Everyday I'm so happy because I know it's one day closer to meeting my sweet daughter.

I'm making sure to make time to pray for all of the families involved with the mall shooting and school shooting this week. I pray that they are comforted and are able to come to the feet of Jesus and receive his help and loving arms.   

UGH!

     So yesterday I went to do my 29 week prenatal appointment. It went really well, Brielle's growing perfectly and I got to hear her heartbeat which is also great. I also found out that in one month I've only gained 3lbs, AWESOME! Very proud of myself. It was a good appointment and I was really happy with everything. Then after the appointment I went down to some lab tests. It was to draw blood to test for anemia and gestational diabetes, basically I had to drink something, wait an hour (for my body to absorb the sugar drink), pee in a cup and get my blood drawn. That was easy and went well too.
     This morning they called me with lab results. I knew right away that it wasn't going to be good because my midwife told me that they'd only call if something was wrong. So I learned that my test was two points to high!! ARE YOU KIDDING? I felt so frustrated because two points is no big deal. They told me that because it was above what it was supposed to be I have to come back to the lab to take a 3hr blood test. I'm supposed to fast for 12hrs before then get my blood drawn, drink the sugary drink, at the first hour get my blood drawn again, then at 2hrs get another draw and of course ANOTHER at 3hrs. Mrahhhh! 
     At first I simply felt frustrated that I have to go get poked 4 times in one day. But now I'm feeling worried. I trust God to take care of my pregnancy and do the very best for me, but of course I'm concerned about it. I'm assuming it's just because I ate that morning before the test, but there could be something wrong. I'm just going to pray that everything is good and that there is nothing to worry about. So I'll just wait and trust that everything will end OK. It's a bummer but I'm glad I took the test so now I'll know if something's wrong right away and be able to change things to help with my condition, if there even is one. 

     Despite the disappointing news this morning, I had a really good day. I got to spend some time with Spencer (he finally has a break from school! WOOT, WOOT!!!!), I'm always super happy when I get to be with him. After he went to work my mom, Jordan and I went to Applebee's which was super fun. I love being with my family, I am seriously so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. They're the best. After dinner I came home and bought Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift concert tickets for Spencer and I this summer!! YAY! I'm super glad that will be such a fun date. 
      Anytime I think of anything after February I get so excited. All I think is baby Brielle will be here then! I'm so excited to meet her. I think about her constantly now and I'm just so excited. I don't know how I'm going to survive all through February, I swear it will be the longest month of my life. I already wish I could hold her and give her kisses. Only 73 days to go!!

29 weeks ♥

 

This picture was taken November 26th, so it was a while ago but it's the best picture I have for this post. Next post I'll have a more recent picture!!

 

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Size of Baby: Butternut squash, weighing about 2 and a half pounds and a tad over 15 inches long head to toe.

Total Weight Gain: 5 lbs!!!! That would be nice, but honestly 24 lbs.

Gender: GIRL. ♥

Movement: Lots! It's starting to get a little startling and uncomfortable at times but I still love it. :) Her favorite thing to do right now is push on my bladder and kick my ribs. She's starting to be really active early in the mornings which is great because I'm hoping she is a morning person! It's way easier for me to wake up early than to stay up late. Also I'm starting to feel her tiny hiccups a couple times a week.

Sleep: Pretty good! At night I normally have really bad acid reflex and heartburn now but after awhile of laying still it goes away. I wake up a couple times a night just because of  the usual discomforts of having a huge belly, but it's not bad. It gives me a chance to get up and go to the bathroom anyway, haha! So overall sleep is good.

Maternity Clothes: This week I switched over to only maternity jeans, my old jeans buttons and zippers are irritating so it's just more comfortable to wear maternity. I still wear my old yoga pants, leggings etc. Shirts and dresses are also all maternity at this point.

Symptoms: Major acid reflex and heart burn which then leads to me becoming nauseous, a couple tums sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't. General discomfort, I just feel so big and clumsy it's hard to balance and I can barely bend over without tipping. This week I was extremely sore from a hard workout but now I'm feeling better so it's a little bit easier to manage. It's funny I never realized how difficult it is to get in and out of a car until now!

Cravings: Sweets! Cupcakes, donuts, etc! Which is super weird because before pregnancy I hated all sugary things other than a few certain candies. Dark chocolate and frosting is still a major no, despite the new sweet tooth. Also "cuties" (the juicy little oranges!) are a must have! I eat about 3-4 a day.

What I Miss: Being able to sit and stand for more than 15 minutes without feeling really uncomfortable.

Best Moment from the Past Week: Well I guess it was 28 weeks but either way, ENTERING THIRD TRIMESTER!!! I'm so close!

What I Am Looking Forward To: Spencer and I starting our childbirth class and taking the hospital tour!

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          Something I've discovered is that no matter who you are or how hard you try, people will always make assumptions about you and the words you say while you may be somebody entirely different or mean something completely opposite of what they thought you meant. It happens to all of us and we have all done it at a time. There's no point in throwing a fit over it or wasting time trying to prove a thought that will never be understood. You need to let it go, have an open hand and not cling so desperately hard to something you can never get across to that person.
        Sometimes there is nothing you can say or do to fix the problem or make somebody understand. You just have to have grace for that person and be okay knowing they will never understand you. Friendship is hard and there are times when no matter how hard you try, things will never be the same. So, you stop crying, pick yourself up and decide to care about the person where they are at and not try to make them understand. You will never be the same kind of friends again but that's okay, everything happens for a reason.
        I think we should simply love. Love is not a simple thing in anyway, it's something to work at everyday. But the steps are simple. 
Step #1: LOVE.
Step #2: Repeat step #1.

Fall favorites!

     My fall favorites right now:
 
-----> "Cider Lane" bath and body works candle, this candle smells so good. It's a seasonal candle so I don't know how long it'll be in stores, but it smells exactly like this season! It has spice, sweet and just makes you think of leaves falling. Another amazing candle I'm absolutely IN LOVE with is "Pumpkin Caramel Latte". It's also by bath and body works. So yummy!!!! It smells like a freshly made latte and makes any room instantly smell cozy and welcoming. (Unfortunately I don't have a pic of this candle because I've had it for awhile so it's burned out already.)
----->Mini pumpkins! So adorable, I have a couple in my room because they don't take up much room and they are just so, so, so cute and a perfect decoration for fall. I LOVE THEM.
----->Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The best drink you will ever have. Just promise you'll try it for me. They are my favorite coffee drink ever. They only come for a couple months which is a bummer but when they are here I am the happiest person. This season I'm not able to drink them because I've cut out caffeine completely, but next year I'll drink as many as I want.
      So lets get serious. I've been thinking a lot lately about something a woman said to me a week or two ago. She's been in my shoes before and knows exactly how it feels to be a teen mom, her situation was a lot worse then mine because her church actually turned her out and wouldn't accept her. I am so blessed to still be welcomed. Of course things will always feel different to me but I will continually try to be a involved and not give up.
     She was letting me talk about how it feels to be in this position. It was really nice to be able to talk to somebody and just honestly say how I feel because I really don't talk about it. When I do I can't say exactly how I feel because I don't want anybody to feel sorry. But this woman and I aren't close so I knew she didn't need me to censor my feelings.

     I talked about the shame I feel even just walking out the door. The she told me about how God promised us justification ( a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends. Also called justification by faith . Theology . the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin. <definitions via dictionary.com>) She said how through Jesus all of our sins are forgiven. Yes, I've heard this before but this time it was different because she said to me, when I choose to walk around feeling ashamed and letting myself be depressed I'm saying "No, Jesus I don't believe your promise of justification, no, I won't live like a new, forgiven, child of God".

     I realized that choosing to live in shame means that I'm refusing to trust God and what he says I am and who I really am. So everyday whenever I feel insecure I remember God's promise to me and no matter what ANYBODY ever says about me I know what GOD says about me. 

     After we talked I looked up a verse that says very clearly the truth. "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (Christ) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39 
     I believe anyone, no matter where they've been, should be loved and shown the grace God has shown us. ♥
     Another thing I've thought a lot about is a verse (Romans 5:8) that says, "while we were still sinners" Jesus died to save us. It never says, "after we did this, this and this" no, it says WHILE we were sinners. I think it's really important to love people even in the midst of their sins and not force a million rules down their throat. Of course we need to pray for them to repent and try to help them as much as we can to resist sin, but we need to accept them even if they never do. That's what I think genuine grace is. 
     I think we as Christians need to focus less on rules and more on loving the way Jesus did. He never told a tax collector or prostitute go do this, and you REAALLLYYY gotta fix this, etc. before he went to meals with them. He went and spent time with them no matter what they were doing. Now, he does say "go and sin no more" to us. This is what we should try to do, there are very clear right and wrongs. 
    I guess what I'm trying to say is we need to love and accept people regardless of how they may act. (Obviously with boundaries so we don't fall into the same lifestyle choices, "We are to be in the world but not of the world") I may be wrong in my thinking about grace so please correct if I am, but as far as my knowledge goes that's what I believe. 
     Anyways have an amazing lovely week and enjoy your fall fashion, weather, scents and hot drinks! Sorry this post was super long, I promise I won't be offended if you don't read the whole thing. P.s. If you have a blog please message me on FB or comment your blog link so I can follow and look at yours!!!!

Who doesn't love shopping for baby girls?

      I have recently discovered that everywhere I go I can't resist buying a new "something" for Brielle. I've begun to question, is this a disease? How long will this last? There's something you have to know about me, I'm great with my money, I save and RARELY spend more than I intended. Until now. Something happens to me when I'm holding fuzzy pink baby pajamas or a tiny little sock. I need it. There's no other option then to wink at Spencer and add it to the cart. I constantly say, "Wow for that price, I'd be losing not to buy another!". So I've decided that when I go out from now on, I can buy one baby item under ten dollars and that is it. Oh dear. HELP!

     Something I've discovered as of late, is that I can't work out the same as before! Wednesday afternoon I did my new 2nd trimester pregnancy DVD and I'm dying!!! Since I've been pregnant I've only done yoga, stretching etc. and this workout is cardio and toning and my thighs are still killing me! What's happened to me? I lower my sore self into a seat like I'm a 90 year old woman. (no offense intended to the elderly, I dearly love them. ♥) What makes matters worse is Spencer is EXTREMELY fit and works out 5 days a week for an hour doing things ten times harder than my pregger videos. He puts me to shame. So after I can work my legs again I am committed to teaching this DVD a good lesson. What? I don't think a video is really a "beatable" thing but I guess this will be my new game... 

First post/introduction to me!

   Okay so I'd like to start off saying, I lack creativity when it comes to titles. I sat here staring at my computer screen for at least two minutes trying to come up with a captivating, exciting name for my first post and I came up with nothing. That being said I decided to go with a boring headline. Moving on.
         I've had about 6 blogs before, almost all of them I deleted within the month I made them. Not going to happen with this one. Actually I hadn't thought about blogging in months, but then my lovely friend posted her new blog (trashfashionisthebest.blogspot.com) and I loved looking at it! So thanks to her for inspiring me.

         This is the amazing love of my life. He is THE most amazing man you'll ever meet. He's so loving and tries so hard to take care of me. Right now he's at his full time job working his butt off for me. We've been through so much together and no relationship is perfect but we are both committed to never giving up. 
         When he found out I was pregnant, he never once wavered. Of course we freaked out and we're scared but we both only grew closer. He has already been the best dad I could dream of having for our baby. Well that's my intro. I pinkie promise my next post will be more exciting I just wanted this to be a little background. THE END.