Postpartum & Big News

Well hello there!!! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I did! We enjoyed our trip to California! It wasn't too bad flying with all 3 kids, just a lot of work.

POSTPARTUM:

Reece: He is doing great! Breastfeeding wasn't easy this time either. I have come to realize that I will always get sore at first with each baby. Not just a little sore, but VERY very sore. A lactation consultant said my fair skin makes me prone to getting sore.
Finally after 3 weeks Reece is nursing well. I still get a little sore when he cluster feeds but besides that it's great.
At his 2 weeks check up he was 7lbs 13oz! The doctor was very happy with this since most babies are up to their birth weight by 2 weeks, and Reece was up 8oz. His jaundice is better although it might be there a slight bit.
It's so amazing to see him change everyday. He is 24 days old today. He has been very alert when awake, he's getting chubby, he stares at me, and I can tell he is going to smile soon. :)
I am so blessed to have him. He is a good baby. He doesn't fuss too much, he's easy to please with a clean diaper and a full tummy.
I am a little worried about him today because he is a little stuffy. I'm praying he didn't get sick on the plane.

Me:
Physically, my bleeding has pretty much stopped. I have lost 16 pounds since the birth, and have 19 more to get to pre-pregnancy weight. I gained a total of 35 pounds. Not too bad.
I was able to get a couple short walks in while in California, and they weren't easy! I've been really tired since traveling and the time changes, and I too have been fighting a cold. Besides that I really feel good.
Emotionally:
I really didn't have the baby blues this time! Yay!! Maybe because I've been so busy....which is another reason I have not been on to update a post!
Which brings me to the BIG NEWS.......

About 3 weeks before the baby was born, we were unfortunately laid off. We were totally and completely shocked by this and had NO idea this was coming. Being laid off right before the birth of our 3rd baby and right before Christmas was extremely hard. My husband especially is very heartbroken by this. He loved his job so much. It was his dream job! It wasn't even a job to him, it was a privilege. The reason I haven't been able to talk about it is because the ranch boys still don't know. They will find out this Saturday. They are going to heartbroken over it, especially a few boys that are really close to us.
This trial has been very difficult. I have been depressed, but not because of baby blues, this time it's situational. I'm mostly depressed for my husband. Also, that I had just gotten use to living in Tennessee and I felt at home here. I spent so much time on the baby's room, and now we have to move. I couldn't fathom starting all over in a new city, house and church.
We live in a ranch house on the ranch property, which is owned by the ministry. So of course we have to move. Our Pastor here has been so gracious and was giving us some time to move, but we do have to move by the first week into the new year. YUP. We are moving next week. Where you might ask?? We. Don't. Know.
The deal was once Reece was born my husband wouldn't have to work anymore so he could help and pack our house. Our whole house is in boxes and has been for a few weeks now. It's very depressing to have everything in a box, a rental truck booked, but not know where we are driving it to.
We have a house lined up in Lancaster California. The city we lived before we moved here. Seemed God was lining everything up for us to move back. The church asked my husband if he'd be interested in working on staff at our church there. Of course we said yes! But after reviewing finances ect. they told us there aren't any openings right now. But God still had a house for us, a couple leaving the church to move to El Salvador to be missionaries needed someone to take over their lease. No deposit, 3 bed 2 bath house for $900 a month. It's ours and we are scheduled to move in the 9th of January.
Once my husband found out he wouldn't be able to work on staff at the church in Lancaster he was even more worried, and wasn't sure what to do. He has been praying and he was able to speak with a few Pastor's about positions at their churches. None of which are in California, so as of right now, we are waiting on the Lord to show us His will. I suppose if we don't hear from them with in a few days we will be moving back to Lancaster.
It's very scary to not know where you will be in 2 weeks. But we trust the Lord, and we know He is doing this for a reason, and that all things work together for good!! Romans 8:28

Davey was perfect for this ministry. We loved it so much, and the ranch boys love us. We were able to see change in them. See them mature and grow even in the short 10 months we've been here. Their attitudes have changed dramatically. They were learning from my husband how to be men, how to work, love the Lord, and be faithful all while having fun and enjoying life. Yes, to us it seemed like the perfect fit. But for reasons we don't know God has other plans. We are so grateful for the 10 months we've had here and what we've learned. We have grown so much closer as a family, we have learned a lot about teenage boys, and that we love the ministry.

Please pray for us that God will provide a job and a place for us!

God sees the things we can't see. He knows what's best for us and we trust Him. Doesn't make us any less sad about leaving but we are comforted by His word and knowing He is in control.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Reece Daniel's Birth Story Part 2

In case you missed it, here is Part 1. Sorry part 2 took so long. I have been a bit busy with nursing, changing poopy diapers, and sleeping. :)

Warning* this is the most exposed you'll view me. But birth is a very exposing experience and a very natural and beautiful experience and I want to remember it all!!


Finally my nurse sees how frazzled I am, and goes and gets her cell phone. I finally get a hold of him. He JUST left our house, which is 40 minuets away. "Did you get the chargers?" I asked. "Uh....no. Should I go back?" "Yes but than hurry up! I need you!" "Ok, I'll be there soon. I love you!"

I feel better now knowing he's on his way and he has everything. I can relax a little as I am hooked up in bed with all the monitors and while I get the antibiotics in the IV which takes 3o minuets. It's about 3:30pm give or take. The contractions are coming every 5 minuets (I know because the machine was keeping a detailed account). They were growing in intensity but really very manageable. I try to focus on what I need to do when the pain picks up. I'm thinking that as soon as Davey arrives I'll change and get in the tub.

4:15 or so Davey comes in. Thank you Lord! He has 3 bags, a cooler, a boppy, and the birth ball is still in the car. Bless his sweet heart. I'm just excited now, and by the expression on his face I know he is too. He gives me a big hug and kiss and goes to get the birth ball.

When he comes back he says, "So you ready for me to get the mood set in the room?" Haha :) I trained him well. He fills the bath for me with my lavendar bubble bath, I change into my sports bra and keep a towel on.

I decided to walk around a little bit before I get in the tub because I didn't want the tub to slow things down. Well I really didn't have to worry about that! Once I get in the contractions start coming every 1 1/2 mins apart lasting for 60-90 seconds each. Each one is stronger. The first hour in the tub is great, Davey is timing the contractions, we are listening to my iPod iHypnobabies and I'm just so excited I am doing this natural. The contractions are getting strong. Still manageable, but much much more painful. At this point I'm hoping they aren't going to get much stronger because I'm barley cooping.

The nurse came in and said my midwife was eating down the street and wanted to know my dilation. So I got out to be checked. She said I was a 4 1/2 cm and %80 effaced. I was immediately discouraged, and now knew why women choose not to be checked. I stayed out of the tub for a while and birthed on the birth ball, tried to walk around (standing in any way seriously made contractions hurt so much worse) even laid on the bed for a little bit. I was now moaning and even crying with each contraction. My nurse was monitoring them and confirmed they were 1 min apart sometime 30 seconds apart, lasting 60-90 seconds.

All I could think was how can it be this hard and I'm only at 4cm!? I began to doubt myself. My midwife came in shortly after, listened to me through some contractions, checked me, and she reported I was 4cm and %50 effaced!!! WTHECK!? Totally discouraged, I get back in the tub. I really think the tub intensified things for me. It helped me relax, but it really made things pick up. I wanted to stay in the tub, but I was getting so so hot. I felt like I was going to pass out. I kept telling Davey "I'm so sorry, I can't do this. Please, I can't do this." He kept assuring me I could and that I WAS doing it and that each contraction brought Reece closer. He was so great, and so strong for me.

It's maybe 7:45pm now and I'm really serious when I tell Davey I can't go on anymore. My whole body was shaking and the pain was so, raw. He says, "Wait till she checks you one more time." I get out of the tub, and tell the nurse I want to be checked NOW. My midwife comes in and checks me. I am at a lower station (Baby is lower) %80 effaced, but still a 4cm. I cry.

She said, "I am so sorry, You need to walk around and get your contractions to get even stronger to dilate you. Right now they aren't at the intensity to open your cervix. I am so sorry, I know how hard that is to hear." Yeah it's hard to hear!! I can barley stand let alone walk around or squat or even SIT! I sit on the bed and sort of refuse to move because anytime you move positions a stronger contraction comes. Davey reminds me to relax but I can't, my body is tense all on it's own. The contractions are RIGHT ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. Each one more painful than the one before. How can these not be opening my cervix!? I can't move!
The nurse comes in, "I want an epidural. NOW." She said, "You really want one, like for real?" I said, "Yes. Please make them hurry." My midwife says, "I think that's a good idea. Once you get it, you are going to go so fast, you'll be ready to push in no time. I hate to encourage something you didn't want, but once your body relaxes you will open." I could see the disappointment on Davey's face. I kept apologizing to him, and he kept telling me not to be sorry, that it was okay.

She calls, says she has to give me a whole bag of IV fluid first so baby and mine heart rate doesn't go down. That takes 30 minuets. Than takes over another 30 minuets for the anesthesiologist to get there. Once she is in there the contractions are so so intense. My whole body is shaking, I'm literally convulsing and can't help it. I ask Davey for a barf bag. I didn't throw up but really felt like I was going to. Contractions are about every 30-45 seconds apart. I feel a lot more pressure with each one, not quit yet like I was ready to push, but just feel more pressure, like the baby is moving down.

If I could go back in time.....I would have my midwife check me right here. One more time. But at the time, I honestly didn't care if I was an 8 or 9, I feared ONE more contraction. And to be honest, I bet I was maybe a 6...maybe. But this is what kills me now, not knowing what I was exactly before I got it, so I keep thinking, "what if I was an 8?" Which I know I wasn't, and you'll know why in a minuet.

9:00pm She makes me sit still through about 6 contractions while she did the epidural....PURE torture. Then she says, "It'll take about 30 mins to kick in!" WTHECK NO!!!! Luckily it began to work very quickly. I could still feel a lot, but the pain was so much more tolerable now. 15 minuets after I got it my Midwife checked me and I was an 8-9cm. WOW. My husband is watching these mondo contractions on the machine telling me they are peaking at the very highest, and that there is NO break between them. Boy I'm glad I can't feel that. I feel so much better, and so relived, yet I have a twinge of guilt for giving in.

9:25pm (Yes I watched the clock), I am ready to push. I take my time, no one rushes me. Davey is ready to catch Reece. My midwife says, "Oh he does have hair!" Davey is telling me what he sees. Linda (my midwife) is stretching and massaging so I won't tear and telling me to take a deep breath and hold it, then push. Once I hear them say, "He'll be out in one push!" I push with all my might, I hear myself grunting loud.

9:32pm, exactly 7 hours after my water broke, out comes his head, then his body slides right out all in one push. Even though I had the epidural I felt a slight "ring of fire". I though for sure I was tearing. But even so, once he was out..... Relief! Only 7 minuets of pushing!

Davey places him on my chest. He cried the moment he was out. Such a beautiful sound! I hold and kiss him. I rub his back, and stare at him. He calms down when he hears my voice. He was covered in thick vernix. A nurse sucks his mouth and nose. Once the cord stopped pulsing (which was very quick actually) Davey cut the cord.

He lays on my belly and they place a blanket on us and a hat on his head. My midwife starts pushing on my tummy for the placenta to come out. A few minuets later she told me to give a small push, and out pops the placenta. She put it in a pink tub and shows it to me and describes it to us in detail. So cool. This organ nourished my baby for almost 40 weeks. Wow. God's design is so amazing.
Once my midwife announced I had no tears or anything, I was cleaned up, and I could put my legs down (yay!). A few hours after having him when a nurse checked me she was so surprised I wasn't even swollen. But I continued to put iced pads on because it was soothing. I peed an hour after delivery with no problem. When I stood I did feel faint, which doesn't surprise me.

After about 20 minuets of skin to skin they cleaned and wrapped him than brought him straight back to me. We attempted to nurse, but he wasn't very interested. We just stared at him and thanked God for him. We quickly texted photos to family. I was totally over whelmed with joy and endorphins. I felt amazing.


Don't let my smile fool you. This is in between contractions when they weren't as painful :)

I have been struggling with the guilt of getting the epidural. But in my mind I just didn't know how to make myself progress. I keep thinking, "Who cares! You only got an epidural, no other interventions. No pitocin. No induction. No C-Section". And those 3 were the ones I really cared about the most. I have a beautiful healthy baby boy that I am so overwhelmed with joy over.

Will I try to do a natural birth again if the Lord gives us another baby? Yes. I will PRAY my water doesn't break first. My nurse had 4 natural births, 2 at a free standing birth center. She said twice her water broke first and it is horrifically more painful than if it doesn't. In fact she said she cried when her water broke. Haha. I really think it hurts more because there is no cushion. The water bag usually gives a cushion to the contractions and with out it, it's just so raw. That is the only word I can use to describe it.
I spoke with a friend of mine who is a doula. She said no doubt I was in transition. It's common with a 2nd or 3rd birth for the woman to go from 4cm-10cm very quickly. I did needed to relax and let my body open. She said she sees it all the time. Its a puzzle to me. Who knows how long I would have been in transition.
Overall I have to say, Reece's birth was so amazing, and everything went according to my birth plan, except the epidural. I am proud to say I made it 6 1/2 hours natural and that out of ALL the births on Monday Dec 5, 2011 in our hospital, I was the only 1 out of 8 ladies in labor that was spontaneous. We are extremely thankful to God for Reece and his health!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Reece Daniel's Birth Story Part 1

Sunday December 4, right before bed. "I really think my water is going to break tonight. I just feel it's ready to pop." I said to Davey. He got really excited and said, "I hope so!".

Monday December 5, I woke up feeling frustrated as usual. Assuming since I didn't go into labor in the middle of the night, that Reece would not be born that day. I was wrong.

I was a very good nester. Had all our bags organized and ready. Even had a bag for the boys to sleep over some one's house packed and in my car. What happened today though I was NOT ready for.

I got ready, cleaned the house, got my boys dressed, and we headed down to the ranch to see my husband and to eat lunch with the ranch. I was leaving the boys with Davey from here to head to town. I had a dentist appointment to hopefully figure out why I have still had discomfort (he thinks I am grinding my teeth in my sleep!). After my dentist I had a prenatal appointment then planned to go to Target, do some Christmas shopping and some walking, then bring dinner to my friend Ginger who was induced because of high blood pressure and had a healthy baby a few days prior.

I got to my prenatal appointment early. While waiting I wrote something like this on Twitter, "It's so surreal that my pregnancy is coming to an end. It could be a couple days or weeks but soon I will have a baby and won't be pregnant anymore. Kinda sad." Little did I know how soon!!

I was nervous about this appointment because I knew I didn't get to see my Midwife, I had to see the OB. He's old, rough and in general kinda scary. I thought about having my husband come with me, but rather him stay home with the boys. The nurse told me to take off my bottoms cause he was gonna check me.

2:30 pm When he came in he was real quick and to the point. He said, "So you're gonna have a baby soon!" I said "I hope so!" I asked him if he was going to strip my membranes. He said he always does if he can, and as soon as he checked he said, "Oh, they are already stripped, hmmm." He than checks my dilation and suddenly...... theres a big POP!!!!! Water gushes everywhere.

"Whoops!!" he said startled and very surprised. I said, "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I knew that was going to happen." He said, "Well, you're gonna have a baby today!" He than told me I was 3cm, I was Group B strep positive, and I needed to head to the hospital right away to start antibiotics. I had no idea about the Group B strep, so I was immediately discouraged by that.

All day I did have a real strange feeling that when he checked me my water would break. I know he was not trying to break my water. Usually to break a water they use a scary hook like tool, and it can be tough.

Immediately I asked the nurse to hand me my cell phone. She did, I call Davey, "Babe?" (I'm now crying) "Yeah, are you ok?!" "My water just broke...I need you to meet me at the hospital ok?" Beep beep beep... phone died.

The nurse helps me clean up, gives me a pad, and a huge bed liner to stick in between my legs until I get to hospital. I ask her not to leave me. I was feeling scared, overwhelmed, and confused. Not knowing what to do. I knew this could be very quick based on Cody's birth, so my main focus should be getting to hospital, but all I could think of was talking to Davey. I needed him to bring all the bags, and to make sure he found someone to watch our boys.

The nurse instructs me to call from the office phone, it doesn't go through, I get an operator. 5 times, finally I get a hold of him. He's panicked, trying to remember all the things I want him to bring, while him and the boys are out hiking in the forest near our home. I told him to hurry and I would text him the list from my iPod.

I knew it would take him a while. He is on foot, with a 2 and 3 year old, in the forest. I found out later that he walked to our neighbors, dropped our boys off there, than went home and get all the bags. I'm in a daze. I text my Mom and Sister from my iPod, telling my sister to hurry and go get my boys (she has a 4 hour drive). I of course update FB and Twitter. Luckily I my doctors office has wifi, which was the only way I could text Davey or contact anyone.

I get to my car, pray the contractions don't start until Davey gets there. The hospital is right around the corner from my doctors office so it was quick. I walk to the front desk, where I am NOT greeted by any of the 3 secretaries. A lady cuts in front of me, still no one acknowledging I am there I say, "My water broke, is this where I need to check in or can I just go to Labor and Delivery?!" She calls back to L & D, I give her specific instructions: "I need a room with a tub, I am doing this natural. I need them to call Linda Foster, she is my Midwife and I am a special patient." It just so happened it was her day off so she could come and be there with me. The doctors office kept telling me to stress that I am "a special patient" of Linda's so they would really call her.

I walk in to L & D. I get the LAST room....I peek into the bathroom...yes! A tub! They save this one just in case. Then I see my nurse...she requested me when she saw my name. Same nurse that gave us the tour, she is very supportive. Thank you Lord! Now, I need my husband.

All this time Davey has not written me back. I call from my room in L & D and get the operator, over and over. I am going to cry.....contractions are starting to come. My husband is not here. I have to be hooked up to these PAINFUL antibiotics, things aren't going as planned. I need my support...I need my HUSBAND!!!!!

To be continued.......
 READ Part two Here!!!!  

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Welcome Wee One

Reece Daniel Osuna was born at 9:32pm on December 5, 2011.
7lbs 5oz 19.5 inches long.

He's beautiful & so amazingly healthy.
Birth story to come soon! A sneak peak: my water broke, while in town, by myself, at 2:30pm...oh & my cell phone was dead. When I finally got to a phone, it wouldn't go through to my husband.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Still Pregnant

"If these contractions don't lead to labor, I am going to Kung Fu something or someone."

That was my Twitter and Facebook status the other night. Did the contractions lead to labor? NO.

Every night I wake up at 1am (& 2am & 3am & 4am) to pee. I turn over onto my back in bed. I grab the pole of my bed, and maneuver myself up. I sit there for a minuet because that was hard. I hope that when I stand up...my water will break. It doesn't. I don't cuss, but if I did I would be saying unpleasant words under my breath. I pee. I go back to my bed, usually turn on a DVD on my laptop since it takes me a while to fall back to sleep. I drink something. Lately I've been going into the kitchen to get a bag of ice for my neck which really hurts while sleeping. I sit on the edge of my bed, check my iPod. Try to lay down as gently as I can, if I move to fast it feels like my already super stretched muscles pull even more along the bottom of my stomach.
As soon as I lay down...BAM. A contraction. I breath threw it. It feels like the wind was knocked out of me. I ignore it being a possibility of anything. I lay on the ice, watch the DVD, drift off to sleep, and start all over in an hour. Sometimes I take a Benadryl to sleep more than two hours with out waking up.

Warning: This paragraph has too much info for some people who get grossed out by labor signs....
The prenatal massage was amazing. I had contractions the whole time, yet was able to really practice relaxing through them while she massaged me.
Later that day at my prenatal appointment, my Midwife checked me. I was happy to find out I was 2cm dilated and %50 effaced. Whoo hoo! I asked her to strip my membranes if she could (this is not breaking waters, this is just gently sweeping membranes off uterine wall which helps contractions start), and she said it generally works best if the bag is budging a bit, and it was so she did. She gave me a pad and said I would have a little bleeding. Well I did. Not too much blood, but lots of other stuff as well, especially yesterday. I still do today a little. So you'd think things were progressing, yet......I'M STILL PREGNANT.

My Midwife then asked me if I wanted to go ahead and schedule an induction for next week in case he didn't come by then. I was surprised by this question (I think she sees so many people she forgot I don't want to be induced). She was very excited when I said no. She said that was so much better. I again, told her if he was really late and I was induced that I would want my water to be broken first so I could do the natural route. She agreed. I am trying NOT to think that will happen. I pray he comes soon, on his own.

How am I feeling? Well....I am a total grouch. Everyday I have no clue what I should do. It's really difficult for me to do laundry (walk down to basement, carry back up), bend over to pick up boys toys and room, ect. I still do all this, but it's hard. I am %100 ready for him to come, and have no more last minuet things or items I need or need to do.

I've been trying to stay busy by shopping, running errands, ect. Last night we went to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. I got spicy Buffalo Wings....oh yum. Cody loved them too and cleaned the bones!! haha. It was nice to have one last night out together as a family of four before the baby comes.

Davey is working today....and well....I feel very irritable, annoyed, uncomfortable, depressed, and ready to MOVE ON to the next phase. Funny though that once he comes I'm sure I will miss being pregnant. ;) Only 5 more days until his Due Date, and with our trip to CA you can imagine how anxious I am for him not to be late.

Hopefully the next post will be his arrival post......wishful thinking.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Any Day Now

Tomorrow I will be 39 weeks! I have mixed emotions. I am super excited to have him, to see him, to hold and kiss him and to not be pregnant anymore. On the other hand I am worried about who will watch our boys if I have him before my Mom gets here in 6 days, if he will be late, and if the labor will go as I hope it will.
I feel like I have been waiting for this day F O R E V E R. Honestly, this pregnancy has been like 2 years has it not?!
I keep praying that he won't come late, but that he will come when he is ready and that God will have all the details worked out.
I do have 3 people who can watch our boys if he comes with in the next 6 days. Repeat: everything will be ok. Everything will be ok. (Talking to myself!)

I am S U P E R excited about my day today! I am getting a prenatal massage thanks to my sweet friend who bought me one! Then going Christmas shopping, then my Midwife appointment where hopefully she will say I've made some progress. I did have good strong contractions all day on Sunday. Then grocery shopping, which, yes is fun if I don't have toddlers with me.

I'm hoping with the massage, my midwife maybe encouraging things along, and walking while shopping that tonight will be the night!!! This whole pregnancy I've wanted him born on Dec 1. I just really like that day...it makes me think of snowflakes. I don't know why. ;)

So the unexpected thing I can't talk about, well it's been a bit postponed so I can't talk about for a few more weeks. But God is working things out and He is leading and He is good!

Thank you all for your encouragement and comments. They mean so much!! Hopefully a post follows this with a baby picture! :)

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Stressed

That about sums it up for ya!

Thanksgiving was good, lots of work but good. I spent the day before cleaning non-stop. My sis, her hubs and three kids arrived that night. The next day I cooked, and hosted all day. My sis helped me out. All 8 ranch guys were over so we had a total of 17 people in our home. It was fun!

Might I just say though that I was T I R E D when it was all over.

Back up to Tuesday: Did I mention the dentist thing? Tuesday I went to my dentist appointment because I have had pain in my tooth for months. I saw one several months ago and he said one of my tooths fillings or the tooth itself chipped. I didn't want an X-Ray while pregnant so I waited it out. Well two weeks ago while flossing I felt like I hit a nerve! I cried like a baby...so much pain. So I went in to have it filled. With out the X-Ray the dentist just did what he thought was right, which was laser remove part of my gum that grew in where it was chipped (which is what hurt so bad). While in the procedure he says he can see the nerve and I may need a root canal at some point. Oh Great. But hopefully in the meantime this take care of it. Re-assuring.

Well I get home, numbing wears off, and OH MY WORD. Pain. P A I N!!!! So bad!!! Crying, terrible pain! I was not expecting this!! I tough it out an hour or two, then take some medicine. Doesn't help. Oragel, doesn't help. I call the dentist, the assistant says, "Oh yeah, hon that was a surgical procedure. It will hurt for 3-5 days." F A N TA S T I C.
"How will I get through a natural childbirth if I can't handle this?" I moaned.

Then I said with confidence, "No. I much rather be in labor, while running a marathon, in the rain than have this excruciating pain."

Pain subsided through the night and next day. Still a little sore.

Oh and the day I went to dentist we had tornado warnings all day. Fun stuff.

I am still sick with a cold, and it won't go away!

Ok so here's what I am getting at............

Sick + Toothache + unexpected event + hosting 17 people + kids loud, playing, bickering at each other for 4 days = S T R E S S E D.

Last night and this morning the baby has not been moving much at all. I began to get worried so I called my midwife. The OB doctor on call said to come in. So I did.

I was hooked up to the monitor and baby's heart rate was good. But no movement still. So we waited about an hour, then she buzzed my tummy right by baby's ear...and OH BOY! Did he move :) He got quite the startle! Baby was perfect, all we wanted to do was make sure of that, so we headed home.

My blood pressure was 135/80 which is VERY high for me. I am usually 100-110/70. Stressed? Yes. So, rest for me for a few days with my feet up as much as possible.

Praying Baby comes soon, I am so excited & ready for him!!!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Unexpected

Oh boy. What to say?

The hard thing is I can't say anything quite yet. Something very unexpected happened to us on Friday. I can say, God is good. My husband is amazing, faithful and godly. My boys are happy and healthy (well except for this cold we have) and Baby O and Mama are just fine.

Sometimes curve balls are thrown our way in life, and it's all part of the journey. We certainly did NOT see this coming, we know God is in control, and it's all part of His divine plan. Big things are happening with my family and I will share soon. We have total faith in God that He has an amazing plan!!

Another unexpected event was waking up very sick yesterday. Blah! I tend to always get a terrible cold in the last month of pregnancy..but with only 18 days left until EDD it's a major bummer. Now I am hoping he stays in until Mama is better. Even though I was sick yesterday I made the mistake of going out and we did a bunch of ministry stuff all day, and it was cold outside. Now I am worse.

Sleep is TERRIBLE. I can not sleep. Baby seems to have gone back up, all into my rib cage, making it very hard to eat, breath, sleep, sit, lay down, you get the picture!!! I need to sleep! Zzzzzzzzz.
{Pity Party I know}.
My boys and I stayed home from church today because we are so sick. My husband has to work today even though he is getting the cold too. Poor guy.

On a pregnancy update: I have been getting tons of contractions. STRONG ones. Still not painful, but enough to take my breath away. I told Davey to be ready for an unexpected home birth because unless my water breaks (like usual) I won't believe it's the real thing until I'm in transition and it's too late. =D Hope that doesn't happen!

I have a midwife appointment tomorrow for my 37 week. Hopefully she will check me again and I will have made some progress....but right now with all that recently happened I am not as* anxious for Baby O to come early. I'll update soon with more details.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Baby Shower & 37 Weeks

This is me on Sunday in front of our barn :) Almost there!
My friend Ginger and I. Church through us a combined shower, both having boys, she is due the day after me!

Today I am 37 weeks. Full Term baby! Whoot! My prenatal appointment went good yesterday. Ultra sound looked great, amniotic fluid was up 3 points to a very healthy level. Praise the Lord. My blood pressure was higher (it was low last time). And baby's estimate weight is 6lbs 5 oz! Perfect size for 3 weeks to go. U/S tech said he'll probably be 8 pounds at the most. Of course the U/S can be off a pound either way.
Midwife checked me, I was dilated barely a dimple. Meaning not even 1cm yet. She said it wants to open, but it's not yet, and I am not effaced at all. Boo on that. I asked her when she can sweep my membranes and she said not until 39 weeks. Still praying this guy will be on time or a little early!

I no longer want to do Wednesday's weigh in. I am up 31 pounds total now. 3 weeks to go. The scale is not my friend. I am swelling, so I'll make myself feel better and say some of the weight is water. ;)

The baby shower went great! I am so humbled that all these ladies came for me and my friend Ginger to enjoy this special time with us. A lot of them made us both home made toys, blankets and clothes. So sweet. I did get some stuff off my registry too! Very exciting. I've had fun putting it all away and REALLY being just about done preparing for the baby.

I've got the baby's hospital bag all packed. His car seat is all set up in the car now...can't believe there are 3 car seats in the car!! My bag is partically packed, everything is set up and clean. We are ready to go people! Did you hear that Baby O? Anytime now is ok with Mommy!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Counting Down

I have been counting down for this whole pregnancy. But now the real count down begins. On Thursday I will be 37 weeks, which is considered full term {according to doctors, not necessarily babies}.

I AM praying Baby O will be early. Not too early, of course want him to be completely ready! I am not too hopeful that he will be early, although I am doing all I can to encourage my body and mind to be ready. (I.E. walking, squatting several times a day, using Evening Primrose, drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea [actually waiting for this one to come in mail, couldn't find any where!] and having all our stuff ready for his arrival.) BUT, with God all things are possible!!!

Last night our Pastor preached on God's divine appointments. He preached that although we as humans may think WE are in control of our time, days, weeks, events, God is ultimately in charge. He orchestrates things we can't see. {Acts 8:29-36} For instance, have you ever thanked God for running late? Maybe, he just protected us from an accident. We never know. Anyways, that got me thinking, then isn't it, or shouldn't it definitely be up to Him when our baby is born?

I do believe God has plans for some women to be induced. If there are medical reasons for the induction, then that is God's will. It's very tempting to be induced, especially as I get so uncomfortable at the end and CAN NOT sleep. But more important I want a natural and healthy birth and baby. I can do all things through Christ.

I spent Friday all day shopping with ladies from our church, and we spent the night near the outlets we shopped at. It was a beautiful town about 3 hours away from us. All the ladies were convinced that I was going to go into labor there from all the walking! By noon on day 2 of shopping I was getting pretty worn out.

I am starting to swell now, and the baby feels very heavy!! I really really REALLY feel like I have been pregnant FOREVER. Is it just me or has this pregnancy really dragged on, and on, and ON!?

Tomorrow is my baby shower the church is throwing for me!!! I am SO excited. I'll have an update post on that and my prenatal appointment on Wednesday. :)

Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..
Love, The Curvy Housewife

Wednesday's Weigh In & 29 days

We are in the 20's now people....29 days until Baby's Due Date!!! Although we know DD's are just a guess anyways...

Weighed in on Monday and it read I was up another 2 pounds...that would be 4 in ONE week! But today I was back down 2 pounds so it's the regular +2 in a week I've been gaining. Still not happy with it, and I know I very well could have actually gained 4 pounds. The last 2 months of my pregnancies I gain a lot of weight. Even though I got a head start with not gaining hardly anything until 6 months...my body knows to gain...and gain...and gain. I am OVER stressing about it. It's gonna happen...it's keeping my baby healthy...and Lord willing will come off quickly.

36 Weeks pregnant tomorrow = 26 pound total weight gain.

Pregnancy Update:
* Low blood pressure. I've been getting faint and weak here and there. Last prenatal appointment my blood pressure was 100/70. Border line low.
* Had an ultrasound last week (yay!). I really wanted one and asked for one. I told my Midwife I may be leaking fluid, so she checked vaginally but couldn't see any leaking, (also said I didn't look dilated at all..boo) but ordered a ultrasound just to be sure. Fluid level was OK, but it can't go any lower. I've been staying very hydrated trying to avoid this. We don't need any reasons to induce!
*Braxton Hicks. I walked 2.5 miles on Monday {pic above of me on my walk} , and since then I've been getting BH much more often. I also walked 1.33 miles yesterday with Davey :)
* UNCOMFORTABLE. Yup that sums it up. Sleep...not much, walking=waddling. Back hurts a lot.
*More pressure down there, and I think he's dropped a little bit.

Looking ahead:
I was sad my pregnancy is almost over....not because I want to stay pregnant, but because this huge event I've been waiting and looking forward to for eventually 10 months will be suddenly over. And of course I am super excited to have my baby in my arms, kiss and smell him, I am also scared and overwhelmed as to how I will be with 3 boys 3 and under!

I had bad baby blues with both Shane and Cody. It's normal. But it's not fun. I hope having a natural birth will help some with that, also going to California soon after he's born (Lord willing!), but how about when I get home from CA? Suddenly my husband is back at work right away, I have not had much time adjusting to life as a Mom of 3, my Mom will be home, and I will be ALONE....with 2 toddlers and a newborn.

Certain things really helps the baby blues:
1. Getting enough sleep.
2. Having help
3. Setting goals, something to look forward too.

Which brings me to the point that I am already preparing for what I will be looking forward to: losing weight again, training for Country Music Half Marathon, getting Baby on good schedule, having a solid routine, ect.

Of course I will be no doubt enjoying my new baby boy, and enjoying his big brothers and daddy being all googly over him. But I know it truly helps to have a goal set. I am excited for these goals and to see the scale go down again.

Did you have the baby blues?

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Blending for the Babies

Here it is....all laid out....This week I have been eating TERRIBLE!
There I said it. No wonder I've gained another 2 pounds this week. Blah. More than my weight, I hate the way all the junk is making me feel. Sure I can "blame" it on the Halloween Candy my boys got tons of. But truth be told, I am eating too many sweets, {cough* donuts...cough cough*}, not enough fruits and veggies, and I am getting full off of foods that are not nutritious. This has got to change! I only have 5 weeks left of my baby growing and getting all the nutrients he needs! So......

I have been wanting to try juicing veggies and fruits so I can be sure to get them in for little Baby O. I got V8 juice from WIC but it isn't very good, and it has sodium. I do chew 3-4 kids gummy vitamins a day as well (suggested by nurse since prenatal vitamins hurt my tummy this time).

I don't have a juicer, and I thought I could juice with a blender. I got carrots, spinach, apples, pears, mangoes, and more to try to make juice combos. Well turns out you can't juice well with a blender, so I went with a smoothie. I want my boys to have more veggies as well myself. I don't know if it's just us, but I struggle getting all our veggies in! I am responsible for 3 boys health, plus my hubby's and my own!

Well, the boys weren't too fond of the smoothy. Probably because they are too full off candy. Sigh. But Shane has been munching on carrots since I got them out. Yay. :)

2 Carrots
1 Apple
1/4 cup Mango
2 tbsp sugar (really needed something sweet)
1/4 milk
1 cup water
Ice

It's pretty tasty! Carrots don't blend well so there is a bit of a texture, but besides that I am pleased. I am excited to try one with bananas, spinach, and more.

Do you juice or blend? I need ideas!!!!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

My Hospital Checklist & Due Dates

First here's my weekly review for last week:

Monday: Walked 1.6 miles outside @ YMCA

Wednesday: Walked 1.8 miles outside @YMCA

Love my walks, really wish I could get over there more. My membership expires soon and I am not renewing it until January since pretty much all of December I won't be working out and they won't put it on hold.

I've been accumulating a list on my iPod for my Hospital Checklist, may seem a little high maintenance, but I know what I needed last two times, what I wish I had and I am getting several things to help aid me in a natural delivery. So here it is...

Hospital Checklist:

My Bag-
Birth Plan (several copies)
Computer with Relaxing CD in it
Camera's w Charger
iPod
Headphones
Pillow
Blanket
Socks
Lots of undies
Nursing tank
After birth pj's
Birthing outfit (couldn't find anything affordable so I am just going to wear an old (too big) black tank top dress that is perfect for nursing...it's almost like a nightgown. I will wear a sports bra under for when I get into the tub, & in the tub cover some w/ towels)
Brush & hair ties
Lavender Lotion (Walmart $4!)
Birthing Ball
Natures Cure Herbal Heating Pad (for lower back, just got one off ebay for $20 when I first saw these Saturday at the mall for $45).
Pure Lavender Oil (sprinkle on my pillow & bed for a relaxing aroma. Got off ebay for $3.50!)
Baby Oil for massage
Shampoo & Conditioner
Lavender bubble bath/bath oil (got off Amazon for $6!)
Toothbrush & toothpaste (& Davey's)
Snacks (Juice Boxes in cooler, Fruit, Granola Bars, Shot Blocks, PB&J's, crackers)
Water
Cooler (w fruit, waters, juices, and frozen BIG maxi pads that were soaked in Whitch Hazel {read this is amazing & helps heal faster, never tried it!})
Lanolin (a must for every nursing mother!)
Nipple Shield (just in case!)
Breast Pump
Boppy Pillow
Hooter Hider (nursing cover. Yes people will just show up to visit un-announced & I want to be able to be covered...blankets are too hot!)

Baby's Bag:
3 onsies
3 sleepers
Socks
Pacifiers
Diapers
Wipes
Desetine
Receiving blankets
Hats
Cotton mittens (so they don't scratch face)
Nail clippers
Car Seat
Blankets for when we leave
Car Seat cover (awesome for winter baby's! Got one when Shane was born)

Due Dates:
The more I read about Natural Childbirth the more I find that people are so very consumed with the EDD (Estimated Due Date). Like me. Yup I have been counting down!! But I KNOW that the EDD is really just a guess. Most babies don't come on the EDD.
You all know how anxious I am to have our little booger. Especially with the weight of we are flying to CA 12 days after his EDD!!
I started googling EDD and found some very interesting information.

1. Is that most women don't know for sure when they ovulated, so they go off their last period, which makes the EDD a BIG guess for anytime with in that week or two on either side.
2. If you know the day you ovulated, you can count 267 days from that day and that is a pretty accurate DD. Well I do know the day I ovulated. I counted 267 days and that puts me at Dec 9 as a due date. But again, it's up to baby!!
3. FULL MOONS!?? What does a full moon have to do with birth? My friends Mom told me more women have babies on a full moon. So I looked it up and found that hospitals actually have more staff on and around a full moon! (Well maybe not so much anymore with so many women being induced these days).
I got curious and looked up if my boys were born on a full moon, and Shane was not, he came 2 weeks before a full moon. But Cody, was born THE day the moon was full. Interesting? So I asked my mommy friends on FB if anyone had ever heard of this and almost all of them had given birth on a full moon or were born on a full moon.
I did a little more looking up, thanks to astronomer people that have kept track of the moon for hundreds of years you can google any month and year and see the day it was full.
I looked up my sisters kids, and her last one was born day before full moon.
My Mom was born 3 days before the full moon and my dad was born 5 days after the full moon. I was born 2 days before the full moon.
What does this all mean? Probably nothing. ;-) But I am due December 8 and full moon is suppose to be December 10, so I am HOPING this will help me deliver on time! We shall see!

I really do know that the baby will come when the baby is ready, and when my body is ready to deliver, and God has a specific birthday already set for my baby.

Do you have any theory's on Due Dates?

P.S. Happy Halloween!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh in & 34 Weeks Pregnant, How I'd LOVE labor to go, & how it probably will go...

Not very happy with this weeks weigh in. Again. Up two more pounds, bringing it to a total of 22 pound gain total this pregnancy.

Good news though, this has gotten me totally aware of my eating habits. I am tracking my food again in My Fitness Pal. I think it really helps. Even though everything I log isn't the healthiest {someone gave us big bag of goodies....BIG bag.}, I KNOW what and how much I am eating. Remember, I am not trying to lose weight, I am trying to be aware of what I am eating. I have my goal still as gaining .5 lb a week, which has me eating 2,200 calories a day. I usually eat right under this or just over, and I am not "planning" my foods.

I've been really conscience lately on what I need to eat. Confession: last week I would eat a piece of cake and get full, and that would be my meal! Is that what me or my baby needs? No. Is that going to help him grow??? No! So again, I am working on this. Why is it so hard in the 3rd trimester? All I want is chocolate! I am drinking V8 regularly, eating my fruits, and whole grains. As a sweet tooth satisfier, I try to eat PB with chocolate chips.

I have been walking at least 2-3 times a week at the Y. I absolutely LOVE it. Fall breeze, peace and quiet. I just pray and talk with the Lord. It's SO refreshing. I pray a lot about the birth and keeping me from gaining too much weight.

I recently saw my reflection while walking, and I had an"Ahhh! Is that me!?" moment. It was depressing. My behind is getting big again. My hips are spreading wider, making my bum wider and flatter...not cute. Although I have to say, my tummy is looking pretty good this time around. Still no stretch marks (not holding my breath on this one). It's much narrower, and smaller (although still big) than with Shane and Cody. I don't get as many, "Your baby must be 12 pounds!" or "You are having twins aren't you?". It's nice. ;-)

I'm getting a lot closer to being done with baby preparing. I am on my last load of baby laundry, got the car seat all washed, and put together, room is done! and I just washed the bassinet and swing. Our church is throwing me a shower Nov 15, (so nice!) so once that is done I can put all away and relax. :)

I got this awesome jogger from my grandma!!!!
I kept thinking, should I get a single jogger? I do have THREE kids!!! But than I remembered why I wanted it to begin with. When training starts for Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon
I will most likely be doing a lot of running with just the baby because I'll be nursing him. Either Davey will have Shane and Cody, or they will be in YMCA daycare. Baby O can go into daycare at 8 weeks old, but I am sure I'll keep him with me for a while.
Plus! A triple jogger seems way outrageous right now....maybe someday!!


Sleep is far from wonderful anymore. I am uncomfortable, have to pee all night long, and Cody has been waking up at least once a night and coming into our bed. Which than I get up, carry him back to his room and get him some water. I guess I should say adios to sleeping all night long until baby is 2+ months old {hopefully}.

How I would love labor to go......(Warning: don't read if you don't like to read about births or if things like this bother you!)
The other night when I couldn't sleep I pictured how our birth would go. I read it's good to imagine it how you want it.
I imagined I would wake up with regular contractions. I wouldn't say anything to Davey until I was sure they were it. Then I would walk around the house, squat, and do some things to make sure they kept coming. When they got stronger I would get into our bath tub. Relax for a while and let Davey sleep longer. When they are 3-4 minuets apart I'd call our midwife and tell her to meet us at the hospital. She would call the hospital and ask them to have a room with a tub in it ready for us.
I would tell my Mom we were leaving (she is flying here Dec 5th!) than give the boys a kiss goodbye. Davey will have the hospital bag, and birthing ball, and me with my pillow and my sis have the baby's bag. I plan to be wearing what I plan to wear during the birth (still have not found it yet!).
The drive would be hard with the strong "surges" (another word for contractions...sounds less painful right?). I will be praying and listening to my iPod Hypnobirth relaxing affirmations.
We will get to hospital and get admitted right away. My Midwife would check me and hopefully I will be close to a 5cm. (wishful thinking?) :)
I will than rock on the ball, walk around our room, and have Davey and my sister massage my back and legs, whatever makes me less tense (I really have no idea right now but that sounds good!). I will be snacking and drinking water. Davey will have turned on the music and filled the bath for me. Lights dim, lavender sent fills the room.
Once the contractions become so painful I want drugs (which they will) I hope to get into the bath for some relief. I would like to be in the bath for transition (which is the hardest phase of labor, dilating you from 8 to 10cm). My water will break. I hope** to not throw up, but most woman with out drugs do during transition. Once I feel the urge to push, I will have Davey get the Midwife. She will check me, making sure I am ready. Then with all 3 of them assisting me, I will have to get out of the tub! I also hope to put my night gown back on, but I know in the moment I won't really care.
I plan to push however feels comfortable. Right now I hope I can start out in a squatting position. Davey and Midwife ready to catch the baby. If I am too weak and tired (which will probably be the case) I will try to sit up as much as I can in the bed, or be on my knees on the bed, making gravity work for me. Since Cody came out in 3 minuets, with NO tears, I hope* to have another easy pushing experience. If it takes longer than 30 minuets (Shane was only 25 mins) I will try any position possible.
Once he is out they will place him on my belly. All will be well, when his cord stops pulsing they will cut it and we will try to nurse (if cord is long enough I will try to nurse him right away while I deliver placenta).

And....Here is how the birth will probably go......(this is based on how my last labor went).
I will likely wake up to pee in the middle of the night. When I get up, my water will break. I will think, "Oh crud. We gotta go NOW." I will go pee, wake up Davey and tell him we need to leave. I will be frantically looking for my bags, trying to change into my birthing night gown, when I feel the first contraction. STRONG. Lasting 1 minuet. I sway back and forth, get through it. Finish getting dressed, get my slippers on. Two minuets later another STRONG one. I get through it, wake my Mom and sister, give boys a kiss and we rush to the car.
The ride to the hospital is torturous. I have a sever contraction every 1 1/2 mins lasting 1 minuet each. We call Midwife and hospital on the way to make sure everything is ready. 40 minuets later when we arrive, I can't talk through the contractions, and I can barley walk. We get checked in and I am anxious to be checked. I already want an epidural. Davey encourages me that what I really want is a natural labor. I snap at him and say, "Easy for you to say, you're not the one feeling like you're dying!" even though I tell him all the time to encourage me when I say things like "I can't do this, I need an epidural". {All women say it, even in home births!}
I gather my thoughts and know he's right.
My Midwife checks me and says I am at an 8cm. I am in so much pain, with hardly any breaks between contractions. I quickly get undressed so I can get into the tub, (which is still being filled). While I wait for the tub I go pee, than feel a strong urge to push. Midwife checks me again and says baby is crowning. I barley make it back to the bed, where Davey, my sister, a nurse and my Midwife have to all basically roll me onto the bed. I am in too much pain to try to stand to push, so I just have Davey put the bed up as upright as it can. Next contraction I push, baby's head comes out. Then his body. 2 1/2 hours total labor time. I didn't get to experience the tub, have my relaxing music and smells going, dim the lights, nothing like I planned. But I have a healthy baby, and I had him naturally, and I am now nursing my sweet alert baby boy.

I will be extremely happy with either scenario! My first priority is a healthy baby and healthy me. I hope and pray that it happens by a natural childbirth, but any way he is born as long as we are healthy is an answer to prayer.

Did you imagine how your births would go?

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Baby Osuna's Nursery w/ Pictures A DIY Nursery on a low budget!

I am so happy our little bundle's room is finally done! It took some hard work and time, but it was well worth it. We did his room on a very low budget. I'll share what we did.

We didn't purchase all of this at once. We bought a few things on each paycheck.

Walls: We painted his walls, a bright aqua color, 1 gallon of paint from Lowe's for $30. LOVE how it turned out.

BELOW: The white bookshelf to the right I bought at an antique store for $20. It needed a good cleaning & to be touched up with paint, but now it looks brand new!

Rocking chair has been in my family for a while and was given to us when I was pregnant with our first son. :)

The Yellow Curtain was $15 at Target, and it's a nice heavy black out curtain too!



BELOW: White Crib. Well this one was an answer to prayer. I really wanted a white crib, but we had a crib already and it was honey color. It broke on our move, so I called the company to see if we could get a replacement part. Come to find out the company gone out of business due to an infant death from a malfunction in the crib. They were all re-called due to the crib breaking, exactly where ours broke! We had it for 3.5 years, and both our boys used it! I didn't have a receipt, but I called Target and they gave us a FULL refund! We were able to buy this nice crib (with good reviews) and the sheets and bed skirt with the money. Such a blessing our boys were ok, and God provided!

Safari Animal Musical Mobile, $12 at TJ Maxx.


BELOW: This wall is by far my most favorite!! I bought this Do It Yourself sticker off Ebay for $20! So glad I kept looking because the one I was going to by off Etsy was $80! It wasn't that easy to do, but I love LOVE love the outcome.



BELOW: We got this changing table as a gift when I was pregnant with Shane. It was a honey wood color. It was a little banged up from using it for 3.5 years, so I sanded it and spray painted it white myself! Love how it turned out!!


BELOW: This dresser was the biggy. I bought this dresser from the same antique store as the bookshelf months ago. It was only $30!! The reason I bought it was, I saw potential, and all the drawers worked smoothly. It was off white with a forest green paint splattered on it in places. The ranch boys would take turns one a weekend scrapping off the paint, then my husband sanded it and painted it white. It took several coats of white paint, but it didn't even take a quarter gallon to paint. I then bought drawer liner from Goodwill for $0.50 and lined the drawers myself. It's brand new now. :)



BELOW: This frame was my one splurge. Even though it was only a $20 splurge from Etsy, I would normally never spend $20 on a frame & $10 for shipping. I searched high & low for a frame in this shape, and was so pleased when I found this one. Most were over $50. This is going to be his newborn photo frame, but I put a pic in there for now.


BELOW: We have his whole name spelled out above his crib with white letters, and a little safari animal on each letter. Each letter was $3, little animal $0.75. ( I did have them spray painted yellow, but decided to go back to white, so I re-spray painted them white!)


BELOW: These little figurines/toys just add a little character to the baby's safari theme room.
The big one's were $1 each at Walmart & the little glass Giraffe was $3 from a flea market.


BELOW: These white double 5x7 frames were $10 at Walmart each. I then had safari animal pictures of Mom & Baby animals printed and framed them myself (each 5X7 was about $1).


BELOW: Only have a few more loads of laundry & all the baby's clothes will be washed and ready to be worn! Except what I get from my shower, which is next month. YAY! :)


After all his clothes are washed I have to wash his bassinet, car seat, and swing and set them all up. Super excited to get the jogging stroller I registered for, my Grandma sent us a nice gift and a Target gift card! Thank you Grandma! ;)

6 weeks 5 days until Due Date. I am feeling good with progress.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Wednesday's Weigh In & 33 Weeks Pregnant

It's so hard to believe I only have 7 weeks left!

Weigh in this week was bad. B A D. Up another 3 pounds!! Ugh! Bringing my total to about 19 (almost 20) pound gain total.

I am trying to tell myself that 20 pounds for 33 weeks is really good {for me}. But I can't get over how I gained 6 pounds in the last 3 weeks. What if I keep gaining like this for 7 more weeks?! Yikes!

Stopping weight gain, or slowing it down while pregnant is a whole different ball game than maintaining or losing weight when not pregnant. It comes down to this...
I H A V E N O C L U E H O W T O D O I T.
I walk 7-9 miles a week. I know I could be eating better, but I am not eating as bad as I once was...
Ok well I could eat a lot better I think. Lately I have been craving lots of sweets.

I had a prenatal appointment yesterday. Went great! Baby is head down, she said he got much bigger. She read my birth plan and spoke with Davey and I and is on board with everything. She even said I can push in any position I want to: standing, sitting, on my side, squatting, whatever I want. And Davey can help catch the baby.
After my appointment we went to tour the hospital. I saw one of the two rooms where they have a big tub for women going natural. It's nice, but I gotta say I'm a little disappointed. I don't know what I was expecting, but it's still a hospital room. Ya know?
I plan to make it a very nice relaxing space with dim lighting and music and lavender sent. They said that is no problem at all.
We are DONE with the baby's room! I am just waiting for a special frame I ordered to come in, and then I will be posting pictures. :)
Funny how much time we spend preparing for baby's rooms, when they don't even care about them?
But they are oh so fun.
I did his first load of laundry as well. It's all becoming so real. Soon we will be a family of 5. Shane and Cody will have a baby brother. They are so excited. Yesterday Shane was very disappointed we left the hospital tour with no baby. He really thought we were going to get his baby brother. We saw a baby girl in the nursery and he kept saying we had to go get "him" that's baby _____ (baby's name). =) it was so sweet!
Thanks for reading, and pics of the nursery up soon!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Maternity Photo Shoot

32 Weeks Pregnant

Photo Source BabyCenter.com

Wednesday's Weigh In
Up 2.8 pounds from last weigh in! Bringing my total gain to 16 pounds. I don't know why sometimes I gain 1/2 pound a week, others 1 pound, and some almost 3. I am happy my baby is growing and gaining weight. He sure is growing too, my stomach feels like it can't stretch anymore! But I know it will.

According to BabyCenter.Com a 32 week baby weighs about 3.75 lbs and is about 16.7 inches long! Whoo hoo! Grow baby Grow!!!

Some things I've been feeling lately: Guilt. Guilt that I am consumed with baby things when I have two precious boys already that need my attention. Guilt that I want a natural childbirth, but that at 16 weeks pregnant I had surgery and had to undergo Anastasia which my baby got and morphine after the surgery which my baby also got. I have been worried all that effected him in some way. I have also been feeling guilt that I am so excited and anxious for him to come that I am not enjoying these last few weeks with my boys and husband. I am working on that one!
7 weeks 6 days until he is born now! Still got a lot to do. Waiting for the right time and the funds to get the things I need so I can finish. :)

I have been loving my walks lately. I wish I didn't live 30 mins from the gym. It's so perfect, how I can put boys in the kids watch, which they love, then walk outside on the trail, in peace and quiet. I really enjoy praying, listening to "positive affirmations" on my HypnoBirth app, and listening to podcasts. It's so refreshing and peaceful.

My sister called this week and asked if she could be in the room when the baby was born. I of course said yes, but had to explain how I am planning a natural birth and that it will be very different that what we are both use to.
My husband seemed a little sad that it wasn't going to be just us two anymore, but I know in the time of it he will be glad I have someone else to encourage me and massage me, ect when he gets tired. He said he is fine with it because I'm the one giving the birth, but I am going to double check to make sure he's really ok with it.
I would love my sister to be there, but this was the first time we were going to be just us two. When Shane was born, I had my Mom, and Sister in law Karissa there. Then with Cody my good friend Vanessa. Those were both great experiences, but I had an epidural, so I was more social. This time it will take a lot of concentrating. If anyone would be in the room this time I'd want it to be my sister. I don't mind if she seems me not at my most conservative (I will be in and out of the tub), I know she will encourage me and rub my back and hair if I need her too. But I am also worried I may just want to be alone with my husband.
Have you always had someone besides your husband in the room with you?

Love, The Curvy Housewife