At the End...

Well, here we are...at the end. Thank God! Matt and I go to the hospital monday night to be induced and I just cannot wait. I'm so ready to meet her and I know my family and friends feel the same way. Let's get on with the show, for real.

I believe I'm crazy to be posting these images. I am so huge! When I uploaded them, I litereally laughed out loud at the size of my stomach. What can you do though? In the first shot I had asked Matt to go stand in the spot I wanted my picture taken so I could get the correct camera settings for him. He thought it would be cute to pretend to be pregnant. As if he had any clue. Poor fella...or lucky fella rather.

Last night we had our last date night as a childless couple. Unfortunately, by 9pm I was ready to go to bed. I'm just so tired right now and I'm sure it's about to get that much worse. Oh boy!

I would like to take a moment and truly thank everyone for your prayers throughout this pregnancy. It has not been easy, but it has been a true blessing. I sincerely apologize to everyone that has had to deal with my over emotional rantings and super freaked out new mommy concerns. I always said I would never be that way, but there I go. God has taught me many lessons in this pregnancy, but He has also shown me that those that truely love Matt and I are always there to love us and accept us no matter what. Our heart's desire is to put Christ first, then our marriage, and then our baby. It's an incredible journey and we will fail many times, but at least there is wonderful Grace. :)

Love to all...

37 weeks

Well, I believe it's definitely time for an update. We had our last ultrasound on Monday and she is looking great. She's measuring 6.12lbs, which is perfect and the doc said the ultrasound is usually over by close to a lb so most likely she'll be right around 7lbs at birth...possibly. This is great news since my specialist wanted me to have a smaller baby due to my fibroid.

Anyway, we also found out the plan for her birth. The doc wants to have a controlled labor because of the fibroid. That being said, we're scheduled to be induced on Oct 13th in the morning. If I have not dilated any by 2 or 3 in the afternoon, they will do a C-section. The doc believes it's fine to try for a natural birth so I'm willing to go for it even if it is only for a short time. :) We're very excited to have a plan in place. Of course she could come early, but that is doubtful because the doc doesn't think I can go into labor on my own.

Right now, all I can think about is meeting her and squeezing her and kissing her. I'll be honest in the fact that I didn't feel a true attachment to her until about the third trimester. Some women may scoff at this revelation, but for me it was somewhat of a defense I believe. I was too scared to bond with her because the fibroid scared me so much and I thought if I let myself go to that place in my heart and mind that I would be hurt so deeply if we lost her. These days I feel much more confident b/c she is holding so strong and I feel her constantly. She's a very active baby! Regardless, every mother has a different experience in pregnancy and that is why I am able to share mine. :)

So that you know, we'll be delivering at St Francis Women's Hospital at the eastside campus and on the 4th floor. Everything is about to change and for the better. :)

Here are some ultrasound pics from sept 8th when I believe I was 34 weeks. You can definitely see some detail on these. I just think she is darling. :) The darkness over her eyes in the bottom 2 images is the shadow from her hand.

32 weeks

Ok, I realize these images are creepy looking...at least that is what I think when I see other people's 3D baby images. However, when it's your own child you have a different feeling about it. To me she totally looks like Matt and has his nose and mouth, but that could all change once I finally see her. :) Let me know what you all think? These images were actually taken at my 27 week visit, but I had lost the CD temporarily.

So now that I'm definitely in the third trimester things are way different. First, and most of you know this, I did test positive for whooping cough from my aug 6th nose swab at the doc's office. It's a surreal and scary situation for the health dept to call you just a few hours before your first baby shower and tell you were positive for whooping cough. I freaked out because I thought I would be contagious still. However, the health dept and my doc office assured me that since I took the correct vaccine only a couple weeks into the cough that I was not contagious and that it would not spread to the baby. Thank goodness. I must have asked both places 3 times to repeat everything and to promise I wasn't contagious. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing you can do for the cough. No medicine or anything will help it. It just has to run it's course. Anyway, this nasty disease caused us to leave our july vacation 2 days early and it has been one of the most miserable experiences of my life. And I have a mild case!! I can't even explain to you the coughing fits and how when you're pregnant it makes you vomit and pee your pants more than you would have if you weren't. It is not fun and I would tell everyone having a baby or who works with children to get vaccinated. I actually believe I'm either half way through with it or nearing the end of it. I'm just praying it's gone by the time the baby arrives. So whooping cough was my introduction into the third trimester. YAY for me! HA!

On to some good news, I do not have gestational diabetes. I had to take the second test, which was totally weird and annoying to sit for 3 hours while they call you in the room to draw blood once every hour. Matt never thought I had it, but I do know my sugar is the first thing to go when I'm hungry. I really didn't fit the profile for it though. It doesn't run in my family and I was not over weight previous to pregnancy.

Some more good news is that Amelia is growing and healthy and as text book average as you can get for her measurements. As far as we know as least. she is a mover and a shaker in my belly. they keep telling me her movement will slow down because she'll run out of room, but I haven't had that yet.

As for me getting around these days...it's a challenge for sure. I'm carrying her super low and she is sooooo heavy. My friend Carrie bought me one of those belts to lift you up and it has helped a lot. Thanks Carrie! Bending over is just about out of the question at this point and I seriously think through going up and down the stairs at home. My hips get major cramps in them every night and I wake up and have to use a heating pad just to get relief. Tylenol is a joke for this kind of pain. The hot tub in our backyard is my new bff. Don't worry, I keep the temp at like 94 degrees. Poor Matt is ready for her to be here I'm sure. He's been great though and he's taken great care of me. He's the best baby daddy ever.

Anyway, I'm sorry this is so long, but there were lots of updates to do. I have another appt this coming monday so I'll try to do another post right after. Oh and if you've ready this far then you deserve to see pics of Amelia's nursery on my photography blog.

Love to all and thanks so much for your prayers. :)

Cajun Shrimp

For Katie and Lyndsay.

27 weeks

It's Official, I'm now in my third trimester. YAY! Things are going well and Amelia is practicing her fancy foot work in my belly on a moment by moment basis. :) No complaints though, I love feeling her in there.

Matt and I went on a date last night and it was great to get out. Before we went I set up the tripod in the backyard and we took these pics. I had to beg Matt to not make silly faces. He's such a goober. My girlfriend, Brooke, sent me this cute top. I just love it. She had her sweet little girl this past December.

I do have a Dr appointment this week so I'll be blogging with updates on that. For now, this is mostly a pic post.

25 weeks

This week begins my 25th week of pregnancy. Wahoo!! Last week, I had my 24 week checkup with the OB and the specialist for my fibroid. Below, I have some really cute ultrasound pics to show you. The update on the fibroid was a good one. It hasn't grown any and I'm not having any real discomfort from it. I know the warning signs to look for so I feel as prepared as I can be if something happens. While the fibroid has stabilized for the time being, my heart is beginning to be an issue. I actually have an appointment to get an EKG done today. It started last week at the gym. I've been working out the whole time and doing aerobics and feeling great about myself. However, on Monday while at the gym my heart started racing so I came out of the class and sat down. It got worse and my vision and hearing went and I broke into a cold sweat. I've never been so scared and not for me, but for the baby. I called over a trainer who took my pulse and it was 190!! Way too high. They called EMS and so the drama began. I finally came out of it and was able to relax. I called the OB and told them what happened. The nurse asked me if Amelia was kicking regularly. I said she was and she also asked if I had any bleeding or cramps and since I didn't she felt I was fine, but that I couldn't do ANYTHING the rest of the day and had to go to bed.

So after telling all this to my specialist, he has referred me to a cardiologist to have my heart checked. They think it could be an arrhythmia. He didn't sound terribly worried so we're not worrying. From what I read, these can be common in pregnancy and something relatively easy to take care of so we'll see what they say.

As for the rest of the pregnancy. Amelia is right on target and weighs 1lb and a 1/2. She is a very active little thing and is constantly kicking. I don't think she sleeps much. :) I'm also going right on target for the pregnancy. So far I've gained 13lbs. I've been trying super hard not to over eat now that I don't want to puke everything.

The nursery is looking fabulous and moving along. Matt and my dad installed the beedboard and mom painted it and the walls. she also refinished some antique furniture that looks way to cute. I'm so excited. Everyone has helped so much and I'm so grateful. Thanks!!! I will have before and after pics very soon so stay tuned.

Matt is cuter than he's ever been and I think I love him more every day. He now introduces Amelia when we meet people. He points to my belly and says, "oh, and here is Amelia". I love it. He has felt her kick a lot and he loves to say, "hey baby, it's daddy". You'd have to hear him. It's real funny. Ok, hugs to all. Liv

22 weeks

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. The wedding season is almost over and I can feel the excitement of july 4th being my first Saturday off since march 28th!! I really can't even begin to explain the business of this past spring and early summer. It's honestly insane. I like to compare my career to that of a CPA. They bust butt until April 15th and then get to have a life again. I kinda feel that way too.

Now for an update on the pregnancy. If you read my last post, then you know about the fibroid I have that has given us a huge scare of pre-term labor. Well, Matt and I went to see a specialist and he was so amazing. I loved his bedside manner and confidence with which he spoke. I really thank God for people like this. During the meeting my 50% chance of per-term went to like 5%!!! Praise God!! I could have kissed the doctor right there, but that would have been a little weird. Anyway, I am back to enjoying my pregnancy -minus the occasional nausea brought on by the iron pills I have to take for anemia. Apparently the fibroid or "big nasty", which is what I call it, likes to suck the iron out of me on top of what Amelia takes for herself. The doctors are going to keep a close "eye" on me and I have another ultrasound coming up the last week of June. Please continue to pray for us during the pregnancy and that the doctors would have wisdom and that Matt and I would know the questions to ask.

I am now starting to feel Amelia kick on a regular basis. She is an active little thing. I feel kinda bad for her though, I believe she has chronic hiccups. I feel them all the time and it makes me worry about her. Does that even hurt her? I can't stand to have the hiccups and it makes me think of that poor girl that was on the Today show this past year who had the hiccups for months. I just hope she can relax in there. Do any mothers reading this know what I'm talking about and if it's ok?

Finally, here are some pics to enjoy. There is one of Matt and I holding the onesie from the night we found out it was a girl. The other two are from just yesterday. I had a family shoot at furman and I had the dad take these shots of me at the end of the shoot. :)

The Big Reveal

That's right we've got little pig tails on the way. :) I can honestly say that I knew it all along. I wish I could say how I knew, but I can't. Last night we had my mom, dad, Matt's parents, Abby and Nate and Allison and Chad over for the big reveal. Matt and I had the doc put in envelopes what we were having and then everyone came over and opened up the envelopes last night to tell us what our little one was. The funny part about the whole experience was that my mom and Matt's mom had presents wrapped that would tell us what we were having afte they had all looked. One present had a blue onesie in it and the other had a pink. After opening the envelopes Matt and I were handed the appropriate present not knowing what color was in the present. We opened our present and it was a blue onesie!! What?! I was like, "I was so sure I was having a girl". Then Matt's mom said, "oh no the girl at the store wrapped them wrong". So then we figured out that we're actually having a girl. :) I am so glad to know, but I really want to smack that woman at the store for not paying attention. Good grief! Anyway, it was still fabulous and I'm so glad everyone got to share the news with us.

Now there is another part to this story and it has to do with our doc visit yesterday. During the ultrasound we learned the baby is doing fabulous and is very healthy. She looks great and has all 10 fingers and toes. We are thrilled. The other part of the visit was not as fun. Many of you know that I have 2 fibroids. They were found at my 12 week ultrasound. The doc I met with then said they would be monitored closely and that she was not worried at that point. Apparently I have one that is 8cm in diameter and is below my bladder and next to my cervix. Now that I've had the 20 week ultrasound things are a little different. The doc we saw this time seems more concerned. I have 2 risks here: one is pre-term labor and the other is a c-section. In all honesty, I could care less about a c-section if it's needed. I just want the baby to be ok. However, pre-term labor has me concerned. Right now the doc is telling me there is a 30% to 50% chance of pre-term labor. When I was told this I burst into tears and just became a puddle right there in the office. The reason for risk of pre-term labor is because with the fibroid being near the cervix it can cause the cervix to contract early b/c of pressure. I've been told to watch for any bleeding and for 6 menstrual like cramps within an hour.

The good news is that I think the doc saw how upset I was and so she said she would set me up with this amazing specialist ASAP who could give us a better assessment of the risk of my particular fibroids. I have the appointment this friday at 10am. Matt and I are very much looking forward to the appointment just to get some answers. I know that healthy babies are born all the time to women with fibriods and that most pregnancies are fine with them. Mine seem to be little more in the "scare zone" so we would really covet your prayers.

Matt has been absolutely wonderful through this whole experience. He has comforted and encouraged me and has continued to point me to Christ. I honestly can't imagine a better husband. He prayed for the 3 of us last night as went to bed and I've never felt more comforted and secure in my life. I don't know what will happen, but I trust that my God does and for whatever reason we are meant to have this experience to bring glory to Him, for that alone, I am grateful. :) Please continue to pray for us as we will need lots of strength and wisdom to make it through.

So if you've read this far, then you deserve to know what we're naming our little girl. Her name will be Amelia Ruth. The first name is one Matt and I just loved and Ruth is for my dear sweet grandmother who I miss everyday. :)

pics are coming soon...

Little Feet

For Mother's Day my mom made me these cute little booties for the baby to wear home from the hospital. I just think they are the most adorable thing I've ever seen. What a great gift! It's hard to believe the baby's feet will be this small and cute. I can't wait to kiss them. :) I think she's also going to make a little jacket to go with them and we're going to change out the color for pink or blue once we find out what we're having. YAY! Speaking of that, our doc appointment is for June 2nd to find out the sex and we are so excited. We're having all the parents over for dinner and giving them envelopes and together they will open them and tell us what we're having. I am beyond excited to know. Matt keeps saying things like, "I'm ready to give this baby a name". I couldn't agree more. :)

17 weeks

Since my last belly update I have certainly grown. LOL I'm starting to really like my bump. It's so fun. I had a conversation with my friend Brooke the other day (she has a 5 month old) about the things people say to you when you're pregnant. So far I've gotten "are you sure there aren't two in there?", "with this fast paced world I think mothers shouldn't find out what they are having" (said after I said I couldn't wait to find out) "you're huge", "you are showing a lot", "I didn't get sick at all". Anyway, I just had to get these out there. Mainly because it's funny. If I didn't have a husband that told me how beautiful I am while pregnant these comments would probably get to me, but most of the time I feel cute and I think that is good enough. :)

My morning sickness has started to subside. Praise the Lord!! I seriously wanted to die. I still take some zofran only when necessary. I'm also starting to get that second trimester boost of energy, which feels great and helps me get a lot done with the photography. Sleeping has gotten better as well. I bought this pillow called a "snoogle" from target and I love it. It's this cylindrical pillow shaped like the letter "c". In fact, Matt calls it the "letter c". He's not such a fan b/c we can't snuggle when I'm wrapped up in it. LOL poor fella. Last night we both got a chuckle because I said, "I'm sorry baby, but I have to sleep with letter c tonight". I guess you had to be there. :)

Last week we went to the doc for a check up and regular testing. I am proud to say that so far I've only gained 5lbs! I'm very happy about that. :) We also got to hear the heart beat and it was 155bpm. I absolutely loved that sound and started to cry when we heard it. Matt just held my hand with a big grin on his face. love him.

So finally here are some pics taken this past sunday on Mother's Day at my in-laws house. I got so annoyed with matt because he wouldn't make a normal face at the camera so this is the best one. what a turd. I also wish i still had on the pink dress i wore to church that morning, but this will have to do. :)

love you all...

Baby Bump Revealed

Ok so here are my first baby bumb pics. Let me warn you they are not glamorous, which is very sad considering my career. This is straight up after a walk with kenah no makeup and no shower. HA!

I've always said that when we got pregnant I would document my growing belly and here I am waiting until 14 weeks to do it. How sad. So far pregnancy has already changed everything for me. I'm sure that is strange for some moms, but for me it's true. I've been really sick in my first trimester and now all I have to say is "thank goodness for zofran". This cancer drug has made life possible for me. I really tried my hardest to go without drugs and after puking for almost two months with no relief I couldn't stand it any longer. Pregnancy has also changed my view of Matt and our marriage. This is such a sweet time for us and I honestly can't get enough of him. I want him around all the time and every time I look at him I think about what features he has that our little one will have. Desiring to have him around all the time is new to me. I'm not a very clingy wife and like to do things on my own a lot and I've always been fine when Matt is out of town, but now it's like I'm sad all the time when he's not here. I also just love to hear his voice. It's like the best sound in the world. :) One last way pregnancy has changed things for me is of course my body. Duh!! It's so weird to think of a life growing in you and how protective you become automatically. Also, just watching my shape change and my skin look different has been interesting as well. Over all the experience has been wonderful, scary, sweet, and fun.

I promise to post more belly pics as things progress. Please pray for G and that he/she will be health and happy. :)

Liv