{five} things on Friday

Feb 26, 2016 /

1. Alf

Alfred is never too far away from mom these days, especially when I’m not feeling well and resting. He has become so much more protective of me since I became pregnant and even wants to snuggle sometimes. I soak it up. He will always be my first baby, fur baby that is.

2. Fresh Fruit

Have you noticed how nice it has been these last couple weeks? If not, maybe you live under a rock… But this prepackaged, way to expensive, melon platter was too hard to resist at whole foods the other day. I may or may not have eaten the whole thing within a couple days. I cannot wait for summer.

3. Warm Temps

As mentioned above, this weather, swoon! We had a nearly 80 degree day last week in Kansas, in February! 80 degrees was maybe a little too warm for this pregnant gal, but the 60s and 70s have been just perfect!

4. Built in table

I’ve started doing this with the belly when it’s convenient. I guess this could be considered a perk of pregnancy!

5. Pre-op Mike

It’s hard to believe that surgery was already three weeks ago. I am so grateful for this guy and his positive attitude toward a not so fun situation with his knee.

6. Bonus!

Mike surprised me with these pens last week! If you’re on the hunt for a great liquigel pen that doesn’t smear, these are the pens for you. They’re seriously incredible. You can buy them HERE on Amazon and they’re worth every penny.

Happy Day!

Friday means I’m linking up with…5 on Friday: Darci, April, Christina, + Natasha | Friday Favorites: A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, + Grace and Love | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer’s Wife

Jaderston Baby: 32 Weeks!

Feb 23, 2016 /

…

First, thank you so much for your kind words, texts, and emails after last weeks bumpdate. I love having this space where I can vent and share and it makes it so much sweeter when I hear back from you.

Second, we have felt your prayers this week. My pain is still near but it has improved so much. I feel human again – which I can’t say has been the case over the last few weeks. I don’t expect my pain to disappear before this baby arrives but any sort of improvement feels like a victory to me. So, thank you. Thank you for surrounding us with love and prayers. Thank you for offering to help us out (we’re quite the pair, crutches and preggo). Each day that passes we feel more and more grateful for the village of people surrounding us.

How far along: 32 weeks!

How big is baby: About the size of a squash.

Gender: It’s a BOY!

Movement: Yes! His movements have changed over the last couple weeks which makes me think that space is getting a little bit tighter in there. Mike was able to feel the hiccups this week which is fun. I love feeling this little man move.

Sleep: Still sleeping great! I seriously don’t know how I got so lucky in this department.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Shortness of breath after doing practically nothing. Congestion is back (unfortunately).

Pelvic Pain: I have had some improvement this week with pain. My pubic pain (yes it’s pubic and yes it’s as awful as that word) has improved SIGNIFICANTLY but my lower back pain is still giving me trouble. Thankfully I have lots of tools now after many trips to the doctor, physical therapist, and chiropractor that do help ease the pain when it gets bad. Rest is the most helpful though. I also feel like I have a really good understanding of what’s happening in my body to cause the pain and for whatever reason that helps knowing I’m not crazy and making it up.

Labor signs: No labor signs.

Cravings/Aversions: Loving fresh (cold) fruit and ice cold water.

Maternity clothes: Yes! I am still mixing and matching but I know a few weeks from now I will be exclusively maternity and Mike’s clothing.

Workouts: No workouts due to pain.

Nursery: I moved a few more things downstairs this weekend. I still have a little ways to go and I’m taking my time because I want everything to be really functional – including my new office space down in the basement. We are getting closer to settling on a crib too.

Mike: He is doing great. Still in the middle of recovery with his knee and still on crutches with no weight bearing on his left leg. We’re really quite the pair. He started physical therapy this last week and has a long list of exercises that he does everyday. He’s very motivated to get his mobility back. He loves feeling the baby move and is always asking how “we’re” doing and checking in on our little guy.

Missing anything: This was the first week where I wished I didn’t have a huge belly. It’s starting to really get in the way!

Best part of the week: Feeling human again was probably the biggest thing but we also won a giveaway of baby gear on instagram (thanks to my sister in law for entering us!)!!! It was so exciting and shocking. I can’t wait for the gear to arrive!!

Looking forward to most: Continuing to see the chiropractor and seeing results. I am also really looking forward to March. Mike and I have NOTHING on the calendar except doctor appointments and I am just craving having nothing scheduled. January and February have been a little too crazy for my liking.

Worries/Concerns: Baby is healthy and everything appears to be right on schedule. Yay!

4-17 weeks

Announcement | 15 weeks | 16 weeks | 17 weeks

18-23 weeks

24-29 weeks

24 & 25 weeks | 26 weeks | 27 weeks | 28 weeks | 29 weeks

30-32 weeks

30 weeks | 31 weeks

Jaderston Baby: 31 Weeks!

Feb 16, 2016 /

…

I debated not doing a bumpdate this week, so my answers below might be a bit brief.

This has been the longest week of my pregnancy so far which in turn has made me not want to relive it to write about it. The pubic pain got to an unbearable point many times last week and on Friday morning I hit a breaking point. I turned to Mike as I woke up in tears and told him I wasn’t sure having this baby on the inside of me was worth it anymore. Of course I don’t mean that because I know that in me is the best and safest place for him right now, but I broke.

This baby boy will absolutely be worth it. He is already so worth it.

It was a year ago this week that Mike and I mourned the loss of our first baby. The baby that was only safe inside of me for 6 weeks. The baby that we’ll never get to meet on this side of life. It was a week filled with tears, confusion, and amazingly, peace. I didn’t question for a moment that the Lord was working in those moments and that His hand was over it all.

And now a year later. Another week filled with tears and pain. But as I type this, I can feel my 31 week, thriving, and healthy little boy kicking and hiccuping away. And again I am filled with peace and have comfort that God’s hand is over this too.

Every ounce of me wants this. I know without a doubt that “mom” is who I am supposed to be. But I am desperate for some relief.

We welcome your prayers, prayers for healing and pain relief.

How far along: 31 weeks!

How big is baby: About the size of a pineapple!

Gender: It’s a BOY!

Movement: Lots of movement. I am pretty sure he changed positions this week and is head down. His kicks have moved from my far right side to the top of my belly near my ribs. I also felt hiccups for the first time this week!

Sleep: Still sleeping great!

Symptoms: Congestion is still much better than it was and exhaustion has taken over my body – an afternoon nap is almost always in order.

Pelvic Pain: This week has been my hardest in terms of pelvic pain, as mentioned above. I did get into a chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy and we’ve started adjustments. She scheduled me for 18 appointments up until my due date! Unfortunately, this kind of pain is hard to treat and she considers my specific case to be severe, but we are both hopeful that relief is around the corner even if it’s a 3 steps forward, 2 steps back process.

Labor signs: No labor signs.

Cravings/Aversions: Loving fresh (cold) fruit and ice cold water. Still not loving chicken.

Maternity clothes: Yes! I am still mixing and matching but I know a few weeks from now I will be exclusively maternity and Mike’s clothing.

Workouts: No workouts due to pain.

Nursery: No progress this week.

Mike: He is incredible. His middle school retreat was this last weekend. Just 8 days post knee surgery and he handled it way better than I ever could. He wasn’t able to rest or do his recovery exercises as much as either of us would have liked, but he survived and ran an incredible weekend retreat for his students. I decided last minute that with my condition and exhaustion levels that I couldn’t go with him so we spent the weekend apart. I am so proud of him and his dedication to the work he’s doing but I am also so so glad he is home and that we are back to sleeping under one roof.

Missing anything: Nothing new.

Best part of the week: Making my first appointment with the chiropractor and her affirming that my pain is real.

Looking forward to most: Continuing to see the chiropractor and seeing results. Also I am excited for a real day off this week. Like, I’m not leaving this house all day (except for an adjustment) and it’s going to be glorious.

Worries/Concerns: Baby is healthy and we are so grateful for that. Momma is discouraged. 9 more weeks feels very discouraging, but I need to take it one week, day, moment at a time. We’ll get there.

Thanks for sticking through this with me. Pregnancy is quite the journey.

4-17 weeks

Announcement | 15 weeks | 16 weeks | 17 weeks

18-23 weeks

24-29 weeks

24 & 25 weeks | 26 weeks | 27 weeks | 28 weeks | 29 weeks

30-31 weeks