Catching Everyone Up..

I do apologize for not updating my blog sooner but my mind has been elsewhere since, Friday afternoon. On Friday, I had my weekly appointment with my OBGYN. She did the regular checkup where she checked my blood pressure (which was perfect), my weight (which I have not gained any since, the new year) and measured my stomach with a standard measuring tape. As of this week, I have been going by the book on weight, blood pressure and my stomach measurements. However, this week I was two weeks behind on my measurements which worried my doctor. She checked to see if I was already dilated and to my surprise I am already 1 cm dilated. When she finished all these tests she told me that she wanted me to have an emergency ultrasound to check on the growth of the baby.  She also told me that she wanted me to have my bags packed on Monday in case the baby was not growing since, she was going to have me induced for labor. Well, all of this news shook my world. I did not know what to think. I chose to go to this appointment by myself since everything seemed to be going so great up to this point and I was still 4 weeks from my due date. However, I quickly wish I had let Will go with me like he wanted to. The minute I left her office I was in panic mode. I spent all weekend googling and searching for why I may not be gaining weight and what could possibly be wrong with baby Harper. Well, that was the worst thing I could have done. All this did was create more anxiety for me and make me think the worst. So, all weekend we tried to keep ourselves busy by getting everything finalized for Harper's arrival.


After what seemed like a month, Monday morning finally came. We had our ultrasound appointment at 8 in the morning which was nice since, we would not have to wait any longer. When we started the ultrasound our technician laughed and said " well I hope you have not been worrying all weekend because your baby is wonderful and already 6 pounds." This was the BEST news we could have ever received. After our ultrasound, we met with our doctor and she apologized for having me worry all weekend but that she just wanted to make sure Harper was fine since, I was already dilated and was not measuring right. She did state that Harper's weight, movement, and heart rate were perfect and there was nothing to worry about. She said that she was ready to come and it could be any day now. So, to be sure to have everything ready for her arrival and our bags in the car. Our day ended up being a good one and all our prayers were answered. Now, we are currently just waiting for her arrival and blessed that she is growing a perfect pace and doing well. 


We now feel like we have a very special angel looking down on us and Harper, Will's mom , Freda. Four years ago, we had one of the worst years of our marriage and life. Will and I had only been married for 5 months when we were on vacation in Myrtle Beach for New Year's Eve and Freda came down with stomach pain. She was rushed to the hospital on New Year's Eve of 2008 and had her gull bladder removed. To our surprise, she did not recover very well and was kept in the hospital for over a week. After many tests, her doctors learned that she had an Adenocarcinoma which is a form of stomach and liver cancer. She went to Duke University for a second opinion and they told her the same thing. Within 29 days, we learned she had cancer and lost her to this terrible disease. She passed away on February 5, 2008 surrounded by all her loved ones in Winston Salem, NC. This was the worst thing I have ever had to go through in my life as well as my husband and his family. My mother-in-law was one of the sweetest, caring, genuine, and god loving people I have ever met. She is the reason why Will is such a wonderful husband and going to be a great father. So, we find it really interesting that Harper is expected to arrive any day now. We feel like Freda is helping out our family with bringing one of the best things to our life, Harper, when we lost one of our most treasured, Freda, 4 years ago in early February.

Below is the picture we had taken during the ultrasound. You can see her eyes are closed( she is sleeping and does not like mornings like her mama :), her nose and cute lips. My husband thinks she looks like him but I think she looks like me. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this issue. However, one thing we do agree on is how cute she is :)...

Week 34 Update

Pregnancy Week: 34 Weeks and a few days..

Size of Baby: Approximately 20 inches & 5 pounds; the size of a cantaloupe

Weight Gain: 24 pounds. When I returned to school, many of my students and co-workers made comments on how it looks like she is trying to come out. So, I must be getting BIG..

Maternity Clothes: All maternity clothes. However, my go to workout tanks from Target that are non-maternity still fit (since they STRETCH). I still wear these at night with my maternity fleece pants.

Gender: A little girl, Harper. I hope she likes pink since, all of her clothes seem to be that color. 

Movement: Harper is very active. She is moving all day long and seems to be punching me continuously. Her kicks and punches are starting to really hurt me. 

Sleep: I sleep pretty well due to the body pillow but having to get up to use the potty throughout the night has disrupted some of my sleeping. For some reason, I have really crazy dreams and mainly are about going on vacation or buy a new home..So, maybe that is how I am coping with my new adventure :)

What I miss:  Working out after work.  It is amazing how much a run after school does clear my mind and relieve stress. I also miss my occasional Texas Margarita. I love having tacos and this beverage to finish my work week. 

Cravings: I have been craving the cheddar biscuit from Hardee's (which is wierd because I do not go to Hardee's, just because it's not convenient). Their new commercial has me craving for it all the time. So, kudos to their marketing department they did their job well :). Looking at the picture below is making me hungry as I type.

Symptoms: Lots of stretching and kicks from Harper. I still have Braxton Hicks Contractions which are not pleasant. I really am getting a lot of acid reflux from everything I drink and eat. 

Words of Wisdom:  Do NOT tell someone who is pregnant "Whoa, that baby looks like she is ready to come out." (actual quote from someone I work with) Even, if you think that be cautious on what you say. 


Best Moment(s) This Week:  Realizing that I only have 6 more weeks of work since, I am planning on working up to the day she comes. Then, I am off the rest of the school year and summer with baby Harper. 

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Our good friends are hosting for us a couples baby shower on Saturday. Our friends are both caterers and are having it catered with food and drink bars.  70 of our closet family and friends are coming into town for the shower. We feel so blessed.


Only 6 more weeks to go!!
( Later today, I will upload my 34 week photo. It is on my home computer..I know all of you want to see how BIG I have gotten.. haha)

Week 30 Update

Pregnancy Week: 30 Weeks

Size of Baby:Approximately 16 inches & 3 pounds; the size of a head of cabbage.

Weight Gain: 20 lbs. and counting ( I have never been this BIG and I feel like a walking penguin or blimp. ha)

Maternity Clothes: All maternity clothes. Luckily, I have had the luxury of getting great clothes from Destination Maternity or Motherhood Maternity. These stores have very cute and stylish clothes for expecting women. 

Gender: A little girl, Harper. 

Movement: All the time. Harper is very active. She is moving all day long and seems to be punching me continuously. The craziest thing, is that , I can now see her moving when I am watching my stomach in the evening. 

Sleep: I sleep pretty well since, my mom got me that wonderful body pillow. The funny thing, is that, when I come home from work Lilly is always on our bed resting on my body pillow. So, I think after Feb. the pillow will be Lilly's. 

What I miss:  Running and exercising everyday after school. I just got my stroller, Baby Jogger, and will be back into running right after Harper's arrival. 

Cravings: The usual Tacos and Chick-Fil-A. However, I really want to have a tuna roll  or sushi, but as you know I cannot. So, the day Harper arrives I have a long list of food items that I am going indulge in. One being, sushi and the other being a glass of champagne. :)

Symptoms: I have started to have Braxton Hicks contractions. This is the weirdest feeling  since, it is pressure pain located in my stomach for about a minute at a time. However, it only happens a couple times throughout the day.  When I called my doctor , she informed me that this was normal and does not mean that I will have an early labor. So, I just have to suffer with these pressure pains.  

Words of Wisdom:  If have a pregnant friend do not tell the expecting mother horror stories of your labor. I have had many friends and colleagues who have given me stories of complications they had. Even if I do have a bad labor, I promise that I will NEVER tell the story to an expecting mother. I have realized who my "wacky" or "Debbie downer" friends are :),


Best Moment(s) This Week:  Will and I had our very first baby shower in my hometown, given by my wonderful mom. ( More to come on the shower later this week). We received many of our registry items such as our stroller, swing, convertible car seat, high chair, baby video monitor, diapers, bottles, and many cute outfits. We are on our way to being fully prepared for Harper

What I'm Looking Forward To:  I'm really looking forward to Christmas with the family and having 14 days off from work. I am in need of some relaxation and getting our house ready for our little girl. 


Only 10 more weeks to go! I cannot WAIT!