34 Week Update

Obviously we got the a-okay for one more week. At this point that's all we can ask for. The specialist is giving us the go-ahead on a week-by-week basis, so long as nothing changes with her activity.

This past weekend, my Thursday night girls (Kim, Nestor and Katrina) hosted a lovely brunch shower for Ariyana. Heather made the trip from North Carolina which was really sweet of her, and a couple of other friends joined in the festivities. The shower was absolutely beautiful, delicious and fun!

I am almost full term. I'm 8 1/2 months, and the time is flying by. Today is also Mother's Day, and Sonny was sweet enough to get me a gift from him and the baby. I can't wait to have her here to celebrate in person. I think (hope) I'll make a good mom...but that's just based on the fact that I have a really awesome mom. Words can't explain how phenomenal of a woman she is, but she really is someone I don't mind being like.

And here's what 34 weeks looks like:

50/50 Chance

On Friday, Sonny and I went to see the specialist. I was hoping that it would turn into our last meeting with them and that they would tell us Ariyana is doing fine...especially since I felt she had gotten bigger. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In fact, it seemed to be the complete opposite.

While everything looked okay with her on the doppler, the specialist said he was going to confer with our obstetrician to determine if I should go ahead and get some steroid shots over the weekend. Apparently, little Ariyana is really little. She hasn't grown much and there is a chance I may have a hormonal imbalance with my placenta...which would explain why she isn't getting as big as quickly. She's measuring about three weeks small and is underweight.

He told us that there is a 50/50 chance that they will need to take her out before I hit 37 weeks. While, that thought doesn't scare me...what does is the fact that we have so many other things going on and I fear we won't be ready - not as in ready to be parents, but more along the lines of ready for her to be here physically. But I guess c'est la vie.

That morning  I got a call from my OB saying that I should pick up my papers and head to triage to get the shots later that day. The steroid shots are to help bolster her lungs... just in case they have to take her out early. It's a precaution that I am glad we have the option of. It will just help ensure that when she gets here, she heals/gets healthy quickly.

The shots are administered in two doses (24 hrs. apart.) When I first got there the nurse told me to change into a robe, which I thought was weird since I was just getting a shot, but then again, I didn't know where it was going. And then she hands me something a bit more personal and the look on my face must have said it all because she asked me what I was in for and then that's when she realized there was a mix up with the paper work! Needless to say, we got it straightened out, but the morale of the story is always double check that they know what they are doing.

The nurse who administered the shot said it would sting and then burn...boy did it burn! The next day I went in for the second round. I was a bit worried about Ariyana since we hadn't felt her as rambunctious as she normally is, so after they have me the shot, they hooked me up for monitoring for about 20 mins. Everything looked okay, but I'm glad I went. It helped give us piece of mind.

Right now we are taking everything one day at a time and are enjoying every moment we have as non-parents, because any day she could be here. We enjoyed Cinco de Mayo with our friends Zach and Danielle, caught what could be our last movie: Avengers, and started packing stuff up. I am hoping to make it through the next three week, and if she can hold out that long, then we will be all set!

32 Weeks

I can't believe I'm already 32 weeks! I've been diligent to eat more food, and my nugget is responding. I think she hit a growth spurt. I'm excited to see the specialist this week because I'm sure he's going to see a much bigger baby. And we get to see her again. I saw her four weeks ago and already saw so many resemblances...so I can't wait to see if she's changed any. Still no food cravings, but I have been feeling my hips loosen. It takes some extra effort to stand up/get out of bed/move. I'm waddling , more hormonal (sorry Sonny) and having a harder time breathing. I feel like I am constantly in the bathroom. I feel her strong kicks and jabs. I've been able to identify (somewhat) a schedule for her.She really loves her daddy and responds to his touch and voice. I took some maternity photos this weekend, courtesy of my friend Kim. I think they came out lovely. In the next few weeks we will need to finish our labor videos and start a birth plan. Normally I would forgo the plan, but just in case...

Maternity Photos

I LOVE the look of professional photos. Especially from photographers that focus on natural light and have fun with their editing. However, like everything else I like in life, they are expensive. I figured a good camera will take good pictures and some editing software is all I need. Well check and check! My friend Kim has an awesome camera, and is extremely modest when it comes to her natural talent. I have some editing software and enjoy trying different things.

So this morning the two of us headed out to Litchgate to take some photos. We got some wonderful pictures, and plan to take a few more in the coming weeks.  Enjoy!\

I'm a House...at 31 weeks!

Not quite sure how within a week I go from being told to gain weight to feeling like I'm as big as a house. Only 9 weeks left!

 

It's Alive!

This morning, as I was sitting and having breakfast, I noticed Ariyana was getting a bit feisty. I looked down at my shirt and my stomach was bouncing all over the place. It made me laugh and I got so happy. I'm happy because a feisty baby is a healthy baby, and after all the talk from the doctors about her being small and me needing to put on more weight, I know that she is okay in there. I was trying to capture it on video, but I don't think it does any justice. You see my breathing more than her moving- it's in the very beginning (Don't mind Khloe in the background.)

30 Weeks

The third trimester has definitely brought on the common pregnancy symptoms I have been lacking this entire pregnancy:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Crabbiness/Irritability
• Weight gain
• Braxton Hicks
• Bathroom breaks (OMG!)

But as unpleasant as it all sounds, I am enjoying every moment of it. I figure if I am finally feeling all of the 'normal' things related to pregnancy, then perhaps everything is going to be perfectly fine after all. 

Someone asked if I was all set for the baby, and my answer to them was 'no.' I said if she decides to come early she's sleeping in either a shoe box or a drawer. We are hoping to be in our new place in a little over a month, and that's when we will get her room together. It's going to be hectic, and there are going to be long days and nights during that time period, but thanks to wonderful friends who have already offered their help I know we will be okay. After all, we don't have much of a choice!