Busy May and Baby R - 38 weeks

Happy Memorial Day! Remembering those who have served and are serving our country. Thanks for your sacrifices to keep us safe.

Since Mother's Day, things have been a bit crazy. Needless to say, I haven't posted much since then.Baby R is 37 weeks and 5 days in this picture. Today I am 38 weeks. I have a little baby's bootie pressing against my stomach that is making me feel nauseous. Not for too much longer though.

The PUPPPs was getting so out of control and itching so fiercely that I went to Kansas to get acupuncture. I took the train to OKC and Mom picked me up there and took me back. It ended up working out well because I got to see Nathan graduate from high school that weekend too. The acupuncture was perfect. She treated my liver that seemed as though that was the main issue. I have felt really good since then, although, today my belly is itching very badly. That is how I noticed the PUPPPs starting in the first place. But, I am taking dandelion root and showering in a special soap I ordered just for PUPPPs. Praying I can make it through the next few weeks until Baby R gets here.

These pictures are tiny!
Congratulations Nathan! We all made it out to his graduation party and to see him graduate.

Mom brought me back to Texas and stayed a few days. She is pretty much the most amazing woman I know. I wish we lived closer to my family. While Mom was here she made curtains for Baby R's room and for the den. She cooked for us and she helped me plan for a friends baby shower. She left on Saturday so now she is on call for when I go into labor. Heidi is too. We are just hoping they can make it in time.

On Friday, the midwives did a home visit to get acquainted with the environment in which they will come and deliver Baby R. Everything seems to be right on track. I have gained 33 pounds, my blood pressure was something like 100/68 (I guess I have no worries), and Baby R's heart rate is 148. Sleeping is getting a bit more uncomfortable and when Baby R moves I feel like I am getting beat up. It takes my breath away at times. I wonder how big this child is getting. I did tell Baby R that I totally understand that the space in there is getting limited though.

This month is the month of baby showers, including one for me. Mine was very special and a lot of fun. I got to see friends I haven't seen in a very long time and visit with all the women that are special to me in my life.

My beautiful shower at my friend Carmen's house. It was so special!

My beautiful hostesses - Carmen, Cristina, Marissa, and Me.

Five lovely pregnant ladies! Rachel - due in Nov., Trish - twins due in Sept., Marissa - due in Aug,. Carmen due in June and Me - due in June.

My mother-in-law got us our car set. YAY!

More goodies!

This past Saturday these beautiful ladies and I had a shower for Marissa and her baby girl Gabriella.

Now, we are just waiting on Baby R. Two weeks until "due date". Hoping I don't go too much past that. It was 100 degrees here yesterday. Today I am going swimming and hoping Baby R likes that. I think it will feel amazing....I will let you know.

true confessions of pregnancy

Kudos to Michelle Duggar who has done this 19 times.

I, however, will NOT be doing this 19 times.

I am not a fan of being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I love the anticipation of waiting on Baby R and the wonderment of what he or she will look like, smell like, act like, etc... I love the kicks and little responses he/she gives when we talk or read books. I love a lot of things, but for the most part, I don't think I am well suited for this many more times.

In the beginning, it was the 24/7 nausea. Okay, I dealt with that and made it through. Then, I thought "I can totally make it! I love being pregnant."

But, quite honestly, I am feeling a bit depressed these days.

Why so glum you ask?

I am 36 weeks and one day today. At 34 weeks and 5 days I developed PUPPPs (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques or pregnancy). Chances are you have never heard of this. That is because only about 1% of pregnant women experience it. I didn't even know what was going on until I started itching more fiercely than just regular pregnancy related itching. I did a little research and self diagnosed. The midwives agree it's PUPPPs.

Imagine playing and rolling around in the yard on a summer afternoon and getting bitten by chiggers..... all. over. your. body. That is the feeling I am experiencing. It started on my belly, moved to my arms, then back, then legs, bottom, and now the soles of my feet. There is no "cure" for PUPPPs besides giving birth (that could be 4-6 more weeks). They aren't even really quite sure what causes it. I have tried temporary remedies such as...

oatmeal baths

baking soda soaks

homeopathic creams

dandelion root capsules

homeopathic allergy spray

calamine lotion

Rainier PUPPPs Soap

and the list goes on....

I am resorting to acupuncture. Waiting two more days. I am hoping and praying for relief. Until then, I am doing all I can to make it through each day with the constantly itchy skin. Sometimes it is hard because I itch the skin off and get little scabs and then itch those off too. I have been waking up at night with severe itching "attacks" as I like to call them. I can now understand why women want to induce their labor when they have things happen that make them uncomfortable during the final stages of pregnancy. As miserable as I am, however, I will not resort to that. I am just trying to keep my chin up and think of the HAPPY ending. Baby R will be oh so worth all of this.

On the upside, I am sure I will be a more sympathetic doula for all I have experienced during this pregnancy. And, I know that women experience much worse, so I am thankful that at least this condition is not harmful to my baby.

And, I am grateful for a wonderful husband who is truly sympathetic to what is going on. He feels so helpless, yet says all the right things when I feel like I just can't take it any more. I guess this is all preparing him for the birth as well.

What a downer of a post....I know. Thanks for your prayers.

mother's day, pregnancy, and motherhood

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the other mom's out there!

I am going to be a mother this year. Only a few weeks left. Well, technically five. But, who's counting?


The reality of pregnancy hasn't all been glamorous...

throwing up.

24/7 nausea for 10 weeks.

restless nights.

heartburn.

shortness of breath.

itchy skin.

36G.

constant trips to the bathroom.

round ligament pain.

sciatic pain.

sore belly from baby's constant punching and jabbing.

swelling toes and fingers.

and my most favorite....

stretch marks (*sigh*)....but, I am not ashamed to share.

Baby R will be worth every second of these pregnancy discomforts and my forever changed body!

Pregnancy is a joy too....

love to feel Baby R move around.

anticipating the happiness baby will bring to our family.

preparing a space for Baby R.

celebrating pregnancy with friends and family.

daddy reading to Baby R and feeling the kicks of happiness.

preparing for the birth.

34 weeks

I know the ups of motherhood will definitely outweigh the downs of pregnancy. So, I wish all you moms and moms-to-be a wonderful day!