34 Weeks

What a week! On Friday, Alfie turned one year old! I didn't think it would be such a big deal, but Chase and I sat in bed Thursday night and gushed over the pictures from the last year. He's so sweet! He really is a good puppy. We have been really consistent about taking him on walks over the last few months. We go from our house over to Toleman Elementary School and do laps around the school so he can run around without a leash. He loves it! And it's good for us too. Chase and I get a chance to talk each night (most nights). We usually go after dark so there aren't kids at the park. It has become a favorite ritual for me. Plus, it's good for this mama to get her body in motion after sitting all day at work. Anyway, Alfie sure is a sweet puppy and I love having him around.

On Saturday I had my last baby shower. Isn't that something? If I have a girl next, I will probably not have another shower again, ever! If number two is a boy, maybe there will be a shower. It's just so crazy how time goes by. Emily hosted, with London and Sarah. It was so fun! Again, people are so generous. I got a few things I needed, a few darling outfits, etc. But my favorite gifts were the picture of Christ for Kate's nursery from my mom, and the labor care package from Lauren, and the "I am a child of God" print from Avery. Such perfect additions to the nursery. Lauren called her friend Katie who has done two un-medicated births and got some tips for me; gatorade, pretzels, essential oils, and thinking of the Atonement. In RS on Sunday someone read a quote that essentially said, Christ did not have to go through with physical pains and anguish, he chose to. So I have that to think about during labor and delivery. I am looking forward to the big day more and more! And praying all the time for, first, a healthy baby, and second, a manageable labor and delivery. I don't need easy, I just need manageable.

And how appropriate considering Sunday was Easter! Chase taught his first ever Gospel Doctrine class, and I had to fight tears the whole time. I was beaming with pride. He is such a natural speaker and teacher. And he just gets it. I loved his approach, his style, and I am looking forward to his next lesson. What a cutie. I am so grateful that he is mine, and Kate's. He has mentioned before, and he mentioned in his lesson, that his dad doesn't use punishment, he just uses natural consequences. The natural consequence of breaking a rule is a removal of a privilege. He tied it into his lesson (2 Nephi 31-33), but it made me think how lucky I am to have the father of my kids have such concerted parenting style before the birth of his baby. He is already thinking of how he can emulate the things he likes about his parents style in our family. His lesson was on the Doctrine of Christ, his mission theme chapters. He obviously knew his material from all sides and the discussion with the class was perfect. I am so proud of him! And I am glad it is him and not me!

Chase also got to go shadow in the OR on Monday! He looks good in scrubs! He watched eight cataract surgeries by Dr. Sykes. He loved it! This week we started talking about the possibility of doing Military for medical school. We need to look into it more to weigh pros and cons. More details to come!

We spent Easter dinner with my family at my mom's house. The whole crew came, including dad, Grandpa Merrill and Joan. It was good. Casual and low key. Our family may have some issues, but we can still make it work. Mom did her traditional basket hunt, but this year my basket was not as hard to find considering I am enormously pregnant. Hudson helped me find my basket and he was so proud. I love that nugget.

On Monday, Chase and I went to visit Sally, my sweet aunt. She is the eldest of my dad's siblings. She has had severe physical handicaps her whole like, but her mental abilities are only slightly diminished. She has more personality than anyone I know. So much spunk, and she never complains. Over the last few years, her physical condition has gotten worse. And on Friday, she took a really bad turn. She is on hospice now, and goes in and out of sleep by the second. She is being kept comfortable until she passes. My poor grandpa has had to see his sweet wife and now Sally go through a long and painful deterioration before death. I am hoping she doesn't suffer much longer, and that Grandpa and Annie are able to cope with their loss. Annie is in good health, but Grandpa has started to show signs of Alzheimer's disease, what killed Grandma Pat. He is doing well enough though, and I hope he can care for Sally in her last days and Annie while she is well. He has had a long, hard life, and I know he will get his rest at some point.

And now, an update on Kate! I had an appointment on Friday and everything still looks really good. I thought maybe my fluid could be low because of the sharp pains in my pubic bone, but I have plenty of fluid. I have gained about 34 pounds now, a sharp increase from the 25 I had gained about 2-3 weeks ago. Dr. Barton says my cervix looks completely un-dilated and un-effaced. That's a good sign at 34 weeks. A few days ago, Kate's movements changed from dull pressure that was not painful (even when she would kick my ribs) to very abrupt and painful movements, even when she moves slowly. I don't know what this means. Maybe she is moving into the birth canal? I have another appointment in 10 days, so I will ask then. At that point I will be 36 weeks and Dr. Barton said he will check my cervix vaginally for progression, and do the strep B test. From there, I will have an appointment every week. I am going to St. George for two days with Chase's family at 36 weeks, so hopefully I have not progressed at all at that point. I shouldn't complain too much, considering how smooth the whole pregnancy has gone, but I am officially VERY uncomfortable. I am really hoping she comes most importantly when she is healthy and ready, but I sure hope she comes closer to 38 weeks! Everyday I wonder what she will look like, what he little personality will be like, how she will take to eating and sleeping, etc. Chase and I are both SO ready for her. Come on Kate!

33 Weeks

We are ready! I had another baby shower this weekend at Connie's house and we got our crib, mattress, and several other necessities and luxuries. So many generous people that want to help us bring Kate home! Connie also made us a quilt for Kate and it is so precious. It is perfect and Kate will cherish it forever. That very night Chase set the crib up. We also got some drawers for the closet and finished organizing her clothes. The nursery is coming together and it is darling! We also started placing frames to hang all around the house. After the shower at Emily's this weekend, I am going to do laundry, put the carseat base in the car and pack my hospital bag. The big day is getting so close! I am reading a book called "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." It is by far my favorite of the several I have read. I am glad I read the others first, but this one is more like a class in a book. It was step by step helps for labor. I am feeling more and more prepared all the time. I think Chase is too. I make a point each night to share something I liked or something I learned with him. I also gave him a copy of the birth plan that has specific instructions and ideas in it for him. We also had a conversation about how I need him to be more supportive of me and doing an un-medicated birth, and he has changed his tune since. Lauren has asked to borrow some of my books too so she can help me. Such a relief! I didn't think to ask for that, but I am really glad she is doing that so she can help both Chase and I when it gets hard. We are still undecided about who will be in the room with us during delivery, but I am trying not to worry about it too much.

I am offically getting uncomfortable. Today, Kate has hardly stopped moving ALL DAY. She particularly like kicking my right side between my hip and ribs. It's good to know she is in there, but I wish she would be gentle! And I have started gaining weight again. I have started putting weight on again, a few pounds this week. I have my 34 weeks check this Friday! After that, I will be checked weekly from 36 weeks on.

Chase and I have both said we think she is going to arrive early. Not only because we hope she comes around May 1st, right after Chase's finals, but it just feels so close! Everything is coming together so well. I am planning on May 1st, but I wonder if she will come even earlier. We are both too excited! Seven more weeks seems too long right now!

30 Weeks!

I Last Friday for my birthday, Chase and I shopped a little and got the cutest lamp for Kate's room. It is DARLING. Then we went to Benihanna for dinner and he surprised me with friends waiting for us! Lauren and Sean, Emily and Alex, London and Matt, Sarah, and Avery. It was so perfect! I loved every second. Em gave me a darling gold frame "one fine day." Avery gave me the carseat/nursing cover I wanted, and she didn't even know! Lauren gave me a new makeup bag that I so needed. Then we got cold stone after and it was delish! On Sunday, Connie gave me a baby carrier and we got some money to put towards the stoller, and of course some cute baby outfits. It was a great birthday! 

This week I feel like I am looking full term! I think she has dropped low and farther out a bit. I also have linera negra, but only slightly. I have actually had this for a few weeks but it is very faint. I have started to get more uncomfortable when I sleep, but not enough to wake me up. I just roll over. I sometimes wake up on my back, which is frowned upon for circulation reasons, but I can't help it in my sleep! Kate is as active as ever, but its more slow movement, fewer kicks and jabs. She is about 3+ pounds and 18 inches at this point. I am now down to appointments every two weeks so I am excited for the next one! My weight gain has also tapered off. I gained 25 pounds between week 15 and 28 (about). But I have stayed right around 170 for the last couple of weeks. If I could max out under 180 (35 pounds gained) that would be ideal! 

I keep having the image in my head that she will come early. Not too early to be safe, but just early. maybe because I am hoping for 10 days before the due date, but I have been a little anxious about getting things ready to go. I have revised the birth plan, packed the diaper bag (2 weeks ago), planned my hospital bag contents, pre-registered at the hospital, researched pediatricians and insurance (but not quite decided), etc. I am hoping to have carpet in no later than mid March so the nursery can be put together. 

The house is coming along nicely. We are still working on painted trim before we get carpet, and a few other minor things that Chase can knock out of Spring break (next week). Chase has been so busy with school this week that there is almost no time for anything else! He left the house at 7 yesterday and got home at 11:30. He left the house this morning at 7 and is going to spend the night in Ogden so he can study longer and take his physics test Friday morning. If I had to guess, I would say this has been the hardest week for him since he started in August. Lots of test and studying. He was also just asked to help coach the Bonneville girls golf team. So he will be getting volunteer and leadership hours (about 4 every week) in addition to some rest, relaxation, sunshine and free golf! I am so proud of Chase. I hope he know it. He is sacrificing a lot, we both are, but he carries a heavy load these days. 

Last night when he came home late, I was half a sleep. He said, I just need some snuggles. He was so sweet to me, He expressed heartfelt gratitude for me doing my part so that he can do his. I think it is the most I have ever felt his gratitude for me. Which makes me just want to do more for him to support him and ease his burden. There is only so much I can do for him at school, but I can pack him snacks and lunches, I can have good food ready for him, laundry done, minimize his responsibilities at home, and just love him. This has been a great week for our marriage. I am learning how to love him better and he is showing so much thoughtfulness and gratitude for me, even when we only see each other for a few minutes each day. I sure love that boy, and I always will.