Wasn't it February like yesterday? Yeah, I thought so.
It's been a whirlwind last few months, but we're finally feeling settled for the first time since last fall.
Omaha trip
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is being able to say yes to a lot more things than I would have before. James had a farm conference in Omaha in February. We were deep into the remodel and going a little stir-crazy. I told James that the kids and I were going to tag along and made sure he booked a hotel with a good pool.
I had big plans for me and the kids for those few days. We were going to go to museums and go shopping and find awesome places to play. And then we had the coldest streak of the winter and I couldn't bring myself to take my babies out into the freezing temperatures. So that meant lots of swimming in the pool, a little bit of schoolwork in the hotel room, movies, books, and games.
This was the first time in a long while that we slept in a hotel with the kids. Macklin did not do awesome and did his best to disrupt as much sleep as he could for everyone else. On night one we did bedtime Mom's way and it took a few tears, but everyone was asleep within a reasonable amount of time. Night two I decided I was not going to fight four of them, yes, four. So we did it Dad's way... It was not a lot sleeping for anyone, but Dad's way has a tendency to create better memories. When it was decided that it was time to settle in, Mack went into his pack-n-play, lights went off, and all was quiet. Then, out of nowhere, Macklin says, "Nice window." That prompted laughter from everyone, because it was so random and unexpected. The laughter then encouraged the phrase to be repeated over and over and over again. It has become Mack's go-to joke whenever he wants a laugh.
The last day of the trip, the kids and I ventured out to SAC museum to run off some energy and do something fun. Trevin enjoyed reading about the history of all of the planes. Myla fluttered from one exhibit to the next as excited as ever. Macklin said, "OH MY!" every time he looked at an airplane.
It was a quick and tiring few days, but it was fun to get out of the basement and make a few memories.
House Progress
{Another remodel post will be coming soon - hoping to tackle a few more things before I make the next detailed post.}
Life continued in construction. Sometimes that looked like opening Valentine's gifts from Grandpa and Grandma on plywood floors with tools scattered around. We spent so much time downstairs over the winter, we really started to understand what it would feel like to live in a house half the size. By March, we were all over being cooped up in the basement. I don't think we even realized how much we needed some light and space. But there was still a lot to be done...
New windows really changed the whole feel of the house.
And new flooring! There's always a sigh of relief when you finally get to the floors. The end was almost in sight.
It's a long story, that you can read about in the remodel post, but James ended up laying the white oak floors and my goodness that man is the gift that keeps on giving.
Macklin was always very curious as to what James was up to. He was never too far away from the action.
The floors were sanded and finished and it almost felt like we had a main floor again!
Cabinets and furniture went in next. It was so rewarding to get to this part of the process!
One day this spring, the weather was perfect, James was heavy into farming, and I had loads of unpacking to do in the house. I was thinking out loud to James and mentioned how beautiful it was outside and that all I wanted to do was work in my flower beds. I reluctantly told him that what I really needed to do was unpack more boxes from the basement so that we had a few more things settled into the new space. He let me finish talking and then he said, "Life is really chaotic right now. Just have fun." Blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but I teared up and simply said thank you. The boxes waited for another day.
A few light fixtures were hung next, but farming season was quickly starting to take priority. There hasn't been much big progress in the last month, but each week seems to check off one more lingering task. Slowly, but surely, we'll get there.
It was an exciting day when our cabinet hardware went on!
James had a quick break in the field work and spent a day on trim. The top trim for the windows and doors still needs to be painted, so he flew through as much base trim and side trim as he could.
We added the last few pieces to the living room and really loving having a cozy space up here again.
And then our countertops were finally installed! It was one of the most exciting days of the entire project, because I finally felt like we had made it. We survived.
James has just begun on our range hood. It's really taking shape. It will be stuccoed to match the fireplace. Eventually.
That's the status of our home right now. We've got working appliances and a plywood range hood face. This girl is not complaining. There's so much left to be done, but we're home. Now we just need to get ahead on farming and then maybe we can take on a few of the remaining projects.
Oh. And have a baby.
Family Wedding
We were able to help celebrate the wedding of James' sister, Bethany. It was the pinnacle moment of a beautiful story that only God could redeem. So much joy was felt that day and it's been remarkable to see each part of the last 10 years lead to this.
This family has been a true gift. There's no doubt that they've shaped our home and our hearts for the better.
School
What a crazy fun year of school. Myla had to write this sentence for school one day and then she answered it by saying, "Ashton!" She's not wrong. Ashton is the one that bakes the cakes in this family.
Macklin was always ready to join in, especially if it involved coloring. This spring semester we hit it really hard on days that we could, and skipped it completely on days that were full. It didn't have the steady rhythm that we prefer, but it was what worked for this season.
We were lucky enough to be able to finish out school upstairs! It was the change of scenery we needed to push through the last couple weeks. Plus, it gave me the chance to unpack boxes while kids did school at the table.
We were able to wrap up school in April and have been enjoying a long summer break already. Sometimes it's hard to believe we've only been homeschooling for two years. It's so much a part of the norm for us at this point. Although, this year was very different from last year, and I'm sure next year will be another adjustment. (Hello baby and toddler.)
Trevin tackled long division and started fractions this year, too. He also became much more confident in his writing and is still reading books faster than I can get them in his hands. We're jumping into 5th grade next year!
Myla's reading really started to take off and she's loved being able to read her picture books in her room by herself for the first time. She can read through all of Green Eggs and Ham and I never want to forget the look of accomplishment on her face when she finishes reading a book to us. She's already asking about when she can start school again. Here comes 1st grade!
Macklin is on track to be the teacher's assistant for the third year in a row. He's always willing to help empty a tote, create a distraction for the class, or give a stern lecture to anyone not abiding by his instructions.
We've completed year two of homeschooling. That's an accomplishment in itself. It's difficult when my kids are watching me 24/7. They see all of my flaws and sin on a regular basis, but I do hope that they also see grace abound. Grace given and grace received. The kids are learning a lot academically, but my main prayer is that they're growing in love for God and for others. Because we're not just homeschooling, we're heart-shaping. What a gift to be able to take part in.
Princess Party
Myla was so excited to get to go to the Princess Party this year!
She loved the craft time and learning the dance, but she was especially excited about winning a new princess dress. We have had the privilege of watching her perform the choreographed dance at home many many many times. What can I say, the girl loves to dance.
Week at the in-laws
We had to move out of our house for a few days while our wood floors were being sanded and finished. We couldn't be in the fumes that come with sealing the floor, but we also weren't going to be able to walk on the floor in between finishing coats, so that meant that we couldn't get to our bedrooms and bathrooms. Paul and Dori graciously offered to let us come crash at their house for a few days, so we packed our bags and headed south. Half-mile south, but south nonetheless.
The kids got in on extra farm chores that week. It seemed like Grandpa always had a bonus helper with him to feed the calf.
Dori bought an Easter egg decorating kit and the big kids really enjoyed dying eggs and getting creative with their designs. We took our school work with us and it was great to be able to continue like normal and keep some routine for the kids.
We had a really special time sharing meals and memories with Grandpa and Grandma!
Macklin Turns Two!
We moved back home after our floors were finished just in time for Macklin to turn two! We bought him a ride-on tractor with a trailer and we assembled it in our bedroom the night before his birthday. We literally didn't have anywhere to park it because we were trying to stay off the new floors as much as possible as they finished curing, so we parked it in the bedroom hallway. When he woke up the next morning it was still dark. I left the lights off in hopes that he wouldn't notice the tractor right away. But his head bolted up from my shoulder the second that we passed it in the hallway. He pointed at it immediately. I laughed and asked him what it was. He grinned and said, "Tractor!" He's really gotten the hang of driving it and likes to weave in and out of the trees.
We had birthday breakfast at the bakery for him and he couldn't decide between a cinnamon roll or a scone, so he got both.
Ashton made him the coolest Tractor cake. What more could a two-year-old farmer want??
We had some family over for Mack's party. It was the first time we had actually hosted anything since starting this project in November. It was so nice to be able to share the space with people again.
Trevin has transitioned into friend birthday parties, so we always let him open family gifts at Mack's party since their birthdays are only 8 days apart.
Macklin was especially thrilled about the tool set. He had watched dad work on the house all winter long, so he knew exactly what to do.
We love celebrating this little guy.
Happy birthday to my tractor-loving, snuggly, chatty, cutie, ornery buddy.
Easter
Between birthdays and Easter, there's no shortage of celebrations in April! I was proud of myself for being able to find our Easter baskets and Easter eggs considering the state our house was in.
Trevin Turns Ten!
I remembered a little too late that most of our wrapping paper had been ruined in the basement flood, so Trevin ended up with the Star Wars Christmas wrapping for his birthday. He didn't complain. We spent his birthday at home, except for getting wings for supper, per his request.
Then we had a few cousins over to celebrate. (This crew has been running the streets of Stockham all summer. Causing trouble, no doubt.) All Trevin wanted to do was have a nerf battle, so we told them to bring their favorite gun and we sent them to the basement. So many squeals and shrieks. They were adamant that James join the war, but they gave him a weak gun. James decided he was going to get his airsoft gun out and take them down. I figured it was the perfect time for me to tell the boys to get changed into pajamas for the night... giving James an opportunity to catch them off guard and unclothed. The yips that followed were hilarious. They quickly barricaded themselves behind the couch until the onslaught was over. (For those of you thinking we went too far... you should meet these boys...) They were thirsty for revenge from that point on. James was met with rapid Nerf fire every time he walked into the house.
10 might be my new favorite. It's really been the sweetest couple of months with him. James and I look at him often and think, "Where did that stubborn, defiant, my-way-or-else toddler boy go?" He's growing up and making us swell with pride over all the milestones and accomplishments. I was terrified to care for a tiny baby boy 10 years ago, but man oh man, he has been the sweetest gift.
Mother's Day
I've never had so many kids in my life. Maybe that's a dumb thing to say, but my arms and heart are so full. Being a mom has been the most humbling and sanctifying work, but I'd be remiss if I didn't also note that it's been the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. Gosh I love these tiny faces.
We were able to have some time with my family. After a really hard couple of weeks, it was so good to be together.
And it's always a treat to get to spend time with the newest family member! My brother and sister-in-law gave me another niece, Sienna. She is just a dolly and she's giving me serious baby fever. Which is convenient, considering my situation.
Myla's Birthday
No way it's been 6 years since Myla flew into this world. No way. Maybe it's something about the middle child or being the only girl, but she is growing faster than the boys. She's really something special.
She requested a penguin birthday (like 11 months before her birthday, mind you) and I was really struggling to want to do an ice, winter, polar themed party in May after being boarded up in our basement for months during the winter. I casually suggested making it a summer penguins party and she was totally on board. Might be the most random party we ever have, but it was actually really cute.
I probably don't even need to mention it at this point, but you already know Ashton made the cake, because... well duh.
Her actual birthDAY was the day after her party and our living room looked like this the whole day. Part of my gift to her was letting her take over and live it up in typical chaotic Myla style. (Her room is in this state 90% of the time)
A couple days before her birthday, I surprised her by taking her to get her ears pierced. We've been talking about it for a few years, so it was fun to make a sweet dream of hers come true. She chose pink butterfly earrings. We were just able to switch them out for the first time this week. She received some super cool earrings for her birthday and the first ones that she chose to put in were the penguin earrings.
The night of her birthday we had a bonfire to end the day. The bonfire turned into a sleepover on the trampoline for James and the kids while this pregnant mama said, "See you all in the morning. I'm going to my bed." I can be fun, but I know my limits. I did have to sneak a peek at them during my middle-of-the-night bathroom run, though.
Farm
Farming season is in full swing! Macklin is enjoying the increase in tractor rides and jumps on the gator or 4-wheeler any chance he gets. Trevin has already been hard at work shuttling between fields, mowing around the farm, helping service pivots, and roguing. It's so fun when you're a 10-year-old living on the farm. He usually comes home as filthy as his dad and I direct him to the shower as soon as he walks through the door.
We finished planting before the calendar reached June, which has not happened in recent memory. It was a smooth start to the farming season. With all the storms lately, we've been blessed to have been spared from the worst of it. Always a pivot down, but the crops are happy and we're extremely grateful.
We wrapped up wheat harvest today! It might be my favorite part of the farming season. Wheat is the easy child in our crop rotation and it's always a fun change of pace from the non-stop cultivating happening on corn and beans in June.
The cab is getting louder and fuller, but we decided five of us wasn't exciting enough. Bring on that baby.
Fishing
Maybe it's because James worked his tail off this winter and never really had a slow season, or maybe it's because he found an old fresh water fishing book on our bookshelf, or maybe it's his way of "nesting" before the baby, but James has had a craving for being on the water. And I mean craving. Stronger than my pregnancy cravings. If there has been even a tiny window of opportunity, he's wanting to hitch up the boat and hit the water.
A couple fishing trips and a tubing day have helped us spend some uninterrupted time together before this baby makes its arrival. Macklin threw his pole in the water within the first thirty minutes, which honestly took longer than I thought.
Thank goodness for inflatable life vest, because nothing else is fitting around this belly.
Macklin has loved swimming around in his puddle jumper. Constant giggles and splashing and trying to swim out of our reach every chance he gets.
After one day on the lake without much fishing success, James confessed to me, "I think I've lost my edge." I looked at him and said, "No, you haven't. You just brought three kids and a pregnant wife along." He ended up getting to take a few days away in Valentine fishing with a friend this month and his confidence is back. Turns out you can catch a lot more fish when you're not untangling other people's lines 58 minutes out of every hour.
Macklin was able to catch his first (13!) fish in our neighbor's pond! James would help cast it and Mack would reel it in with a fish more often than not.
VBS
Our church hosted an Australian themed VBS this summer. The kids enjoyed their week in the outback!
Macklin hung out in the nursery all week and let me come and go without too much drama. I was on photography duty again, which is always a lot of fun because I get to bounce around and experience a little bit of everything.
They needed class photos and individual photos of all 100+ kids. This 8-month pregnant gal broke a sweat trying to get the 3-year-olds and preschoolers checked off the list.
VBS definitely makes the kids' summer highlights.
So thankful for this church and all those who invest so much as they share truth with our kids.
TGCW22
Once upon a time I went to a women's conference in Indianapolis when I was 4 weeks away from having a baby. I bought my tickets for the conference in the fall and then found out I was miraculously pregnant. I backed out of the trip knowing that I would be 8 months pregnant and that would be dumb. I had no intention of going... until two weeks before the conference when my friends asked me if I was sure I didn't want to go... They still had a seat in the van and the Airbnbs had enough beds... So began my very strategic case before James. He didn't even hesitate and told me I could go (if we could do a trade and he could take a few days to go fishing in Valentine...) DEAL.
I hopped in the van and had some really really incredible days with people I adore.
I'm so glad to have had that time before this baby arrives. It was so refreshing to spend extended, deliberate time meditating on truth before I enter another season of high demand.
It's such a gift to be in ministry alongside each of these gals. I've learned so much from their wisdom and grace. I've also taught them a few things, like the best hiding spot for a candy stash. So our friendship is probably mutually beneficial.
Other Highlights
Birthday celebrations from February.
Lots of sibling snuggle/reading sessions.
Sometimes you can't help falling asleep wherever you're at, even if its in church.
Any day at the bakery is a good day.
We celebrated our niece's high school graduation!
We took the kids to the CRC family picnic and had the special treat of getting to ride a pony. Myla loved it and Macklin refused to let go of James.
Any time with these gals is a good time, especially when there's sushi involved. Which is most of the time.
So thankful for this simple life. Trying to soak in every bit of these days with littles.
Trev
Always a class clown. His favorite holiday is April Fools Day. This year he came out of the bathroom and told me he had diarrhea. He had me going for awhile until I caught a smirk from him.
He had his first guitar recital this spring. It was really cool to see him play for an audience. He's been taking lessons for two years now and his improvement is impressive. There's several songs he literally plays with his eyes closed.
He's such a good help and has started babysitting for short periods of time. He's incredibly responsible and he definitely likes the feeling of being in charge. Myla says he's a nice babysitter, so I guess he's not fired yet.
His mind is quick and he's incredibly witty. One day I was explaining to him how James and I are usually fighting each other on the light switches. I'm always turning them on and he's always turning them off. Trevin's response was, "That's because Dad's been in the dark for so long, until you came and brought light to his life." Then he busted out laughing. He has lines like this for days, and they come to him without any effort.
He gets himself into predicaments, like when he told his sister to chain him to the tree and she tightened it too much for him to undo it. Myla came in to tell me he was stuck, but I brushed it off as a joke and said, "Ok, I'll be out in a little while." I didn't come out, because I know him and I know that these types of things are never serious. (Reminds me about a story where a boy cried wolf, or something like that.) Ten minutes later Myla came back in asking if I was going to come. He was legitimately chained to the tree for 15 minutes. There's probably a life lesson there for him somewhere.
One decade with Trevin Trimble. Man, life would be boring without him. I tell people all the time that they should have a ten-year-old, because it's truly the best.
Myla
I think I mentioned the neon green eyebrows in my last post... but here's proof. I think we've finally put that stage behind us. Hopefully.
She's grabbing books constantly and reading whatever she can get her hands on. She read her first chapter book last month. She's definitely not losing any reading skills over the summer.
She planned a family craft night for us one evening. She had us each make snowmen and paper popsicles. She's a creative at heart, and she loves to coordinate activities for us all.
She also had the opportunity to speak on a panel at our Mother-Daughter Banquet at church this spring. She was a little nervous, but she did so well and faced the crowd with courage.
She is such a chatter-box. One day she rode with James in the tractor while I had a doctor's appointment. I had told her to take a bag of toys and activities with to keep her busy. When I picked her up she told me, "Mom, I didn't even need my bag, I just talked the whole time!"
She finds the water anytime she's in the yard. She lives it up all summer long. We got her in early for swim lessons this year before baby time. She has become such a strong swimmer in the last year. She passed two levels this year. I was so proud of how brave she was attempting the new skills.
Six years of Myla. I don't know where that time has gone, but every year with her is a gift.
Mack
Oh my little buddy. People always speak so poorly of two-year-olds, but this one is setting the record straight. Two is so fun. Granted, you'll still see me lugging him out of the room in a tantrum rage, but the personality, the giggles, the snuggles, the curls... it is almost unbearable. Maybe I'm emotionally charged because a baby is coming soon, but I am wanting to pause him right here. He was my baby for the shortest amount of time and it's hard for me to grasp.
This kid can pound down a cinnamon roll like it's his job. (And these are Ashton's cinnamon rolls, so they're like the size of his head) He gets pumped when we pull up to the bakery.
He's been our snuggliest baby and can fall asleep almost anywhere.
He calls himself "Macky" and called Myla "Myna" for the longest time. Every week he says, "pop" while he gets adjusted at the chiropractor. He's talking in full-blown sentences and I love hearing what's going to come out of his mouth next. Lately he's been stuck on the phrase "tooty booty". I don't know where that came from, but we've laughed at it too many times to make it stop now. This is who we are forever, I guess.
He transitioned to a big boy bed! I wanted to get him out of the crib before baby came, so that it was one less change that we had to make after we added a new member to the family. The first nap was the hardest. He laid down alright but then got out of his bed and glared at me through the video monitor. Then he spent a half-hour playing before he got annoyed again. I laid him down for a second time, rubbed his back for a couple minutes, and he went right to sleep. Ever since then, we've had very few issues. He gets out of his bed to grab a toy every now and then, but otherwise he stays put until he wakes up. It went much smoother than I had anticipated. Now he loves his bed and is more than happy to acknowledge that the crib is for the baby.
I also moved his dresser into the nursery because it doubles as our changing table. Which meant Macklin was out of furniture in his room. I was really wanting to avoid purchasing any new furniture since we've had to buy so much for our remodel. We also had this piece that sat in our entryway before the remodel. We had moved it into our bedroom to store it over the winter, but we had no idea what to do with it. One day I decided we could try it out in Macklin's room and see if it felt weird. It's honestly worked out great, though! I ordered a bench pillow to make it into a little reading nook and I find at least one kid on it every day cozied up with a book. It has also doubled as great toy storage. It may not be the perfect solution forever, but for now, it's going to work just great.
He's a total goofball, but he's got a tender side. He cried the first time he watched The Fox and the Hound. Must take after his mother, because my mom said I always cried through that movie when I was little.
He's obsessed with his grandma. For a couple months he was calling her, "can can grandma" meaning candy grandma. My mom claims she has no idea why that started, but I have strong suspicions.
Two years of Mack. Two years of rolls. Two years of fun.
Losses
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that we also passed milestones of our losses.
May 1st brought the due date of our miscarriage. I found myself, yet again, facing a day that marked grief, while feeling a baby wiggle in my womb. The confusion and bittersweetness of those days will never be fully grasped. Mourning one life, while celebrating another. Feeling empty, while simultaneously feeling fulfilled. Longing for my last child, while carrying the next. A loss that paved the way for a life. A mama's heart that doesn't know where to land.
Just a few short weeks later, we faced the day we recognize as Auden's birthday. The day our family lost for the first time. This year marked three years. I can not fathom how time has so callously ticked on.
Our love for these two precious little lives will forever be in our family's legacy. They've shaped us and made us into who we are as parents, as friends, and as believers. For that we are thankful.
There have been so many voices and opinions swirling right now in the wake of the overturning of Roe v Wade. I've seen post after post, comment after comment, of people using ectopic pregnancy as a weapon in the fight for abortion rights. I don't even have the words to describe the gut-wrenching weight that argument has left on my heart. Using someone else's story of immense grief in the loss of a beloved child, and in some cases, their fertility, for the sake of wanting rights to stop a beating heart is cruel. Not to mention the complete fallacy in believing that abortion and ectopic pregnancy treatments are the same. I could write post after post after post on this, but I'll just leave it as simply as I can. Losing a baby is not the same as taking a baby's life. Please don't align the two for the sake of your argument.
Pregnancy
And then there's this little nugget. Baby was hiding its face for the entire 20-week ultrasound. We caught just the tiniest little peek. My heart is about to burst thinking about seeing that little nose face-to-face in just a few short days. James was able to feel a kick for the first time the night before this ultrasound picture was taken.
{23 weeks}
At my 25-week appointment, my doctor tried to pick up the baby's heartbeat. As soon as she touched my stomach, the baby kicked her. Very intentionally. It actually startled her and she said that it was the strongest 25-week kick she's ever felt. Ironically, the baby started out with big kicks that we felt really early, but since then it's been my quietest babe. There's certainly movement, but it seems to be gentle and calm overall. I'm not buying it. I think I'm being tricked. But I would not complain about a super chill baby #4.
My cravings this pregnancy have almost solely consisted of hot sauce, different hot sauce, and other kinds of hot sauce. Cholula has been the most frequent go-to. It's going to be a hard thing to give up when I'm nursing. Maybe I can just cut back? I mean this kid has been swimming in tabasco for like 6 months...
 |
| 30 weeks |
I committed the great sin of going grocery shopping and managed to throw my back out around week 30. Never have I thrown it out this bad. I was in tremendous pain. I couldn't stand for very long, I couldn't sit for very long, I couldn't walk for very long, I couldn't lay for very long. Everything caused pain. I stayed in close proximity to my chiropractor and soaked in the tub almost every night for several weeks. I looked at the calendar and thought there was no way I could survive 10 weeks of pregnancy in this state, but I also didn't see how I could actually find relief as I entered the last two months of pregnancy. Things were only going to get tighter and heavier and more painful. I spent a lot of time stretching on the floor. Usually with a certain two-year-old finding me and thinking it was time to wrestle. (It's a mystery why I had back pain...) But thank heavens, the adjustments and stretching and lighter loads really helped me get back to normal. I've felt so much better this month. But I'm still practicing risky behavior by going grocery shopping. I live on the edge.
My sons are always the most complimentary people in this house... One Sunday, before church, I was trying on outfit number three, (like every normal pregnant lady that ever existed) when Trevin said, "I think you need to buy bigger clothes, Mom." I turned to give him a glare when I heard Macklin parrot, "Bigger clothes, mom!" RUDE. I kicked them out of the room and told them to repent of their evil hearts. Then I looked in the mirror and nodded. "Yeah... I need bigger clothes."
We wanted the gender to be a surprise again this time, so we're anxiously waiting to find out if we've got a baby sister or baby brother. James and I have finally settled on names after a few false alarms. James and Myla think it's a girl, while Trevin is team boy. My pregnancy is mimicking Myla's a little more at this point, so part of me thinks it's going to be a week late with a speedy delivery of a baby girl. But if I go into labor early, I'll probably instantly believe it's a boy.
 |
| 34 weeks |
My pelvis issue has been a real problem this pregnancy, unfortunately. I can't seem to find relief from the pressure and pain. For several months, I was having the constant dull ache at all times, with a few moments of terrible pain if I moved wrong. That was manageable. The past couple weeks have amplified to feeling intense pain throughout most of the day. The most painful thing is rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the car, and oh my goodness if I do a little split I think I'm going to die on the spot. Do I sound dramatic yet? If you ask me how I'm feeling these days, I'll probably tell you I feel really good. Because I do! This pregnancy has felt easy, minus the back and pelvis pain. I feel smaller than I have with my other pregnancies. (Maybe I'm actually larger, but it's a lie I'm willing to believe because I truly feel good and strong and able.) The pelvis pain has become normal to me, so it's not something I dwell on. I also know that the pain is gone almost immediately after I deliver the baby. Not lying, my pelvis felt better walking out of the hospital with Myla than it did walking in. So it helps to know that this is not forever. There is an end in sight. I'm just gonna keep waddling my way towards it.
 |
| 35 weeks |
I went to that conference at 36 weeks pregnant. I feel like I did pretty well, but I started swelling a fair bit. I didn't have any swelling in my feet prior to that, but they ballooned up real fast. I was able to get them down for a week when I got home, but they're growing again and I'm accepting that it's probably just time for me to acknowledge I'm only going to fit into two pairs of shoes for the remainder of this pregnancy.
My doctor checked me at 37 weeks and I was already at 3cm and 50% effaced. Off to a great start! I always dilate early, so I had no real hopes that I was super close yet. A few days after my appointment it dawned on me that I thought I was still breech. I was feeling hiccups way up high. I had a day of panic, but was able to stay mostly rational. This week, at my 38 week appointment, the doctor checked and ensured me that baby is head down. So either baby flipped right before (which I never felt) or the hiccups I felt were deceiving. Either way - so thankful that this baby is locked and loaded. I was 3.5cm and 60% effaced this week. Slow progress, but now that I know I'm not breech, I feel like I can bounce on the ball and walk and do anything and everything I can to work towards the end goal.
 |
| 37 weeks |
Trying my best to soak up these last days of pregnancy. We are so ready to love on this little one. Two weeks until due date, so we're really really counting the days now.
Buying bigger clothes, growing on the farm...
No comments:
Post a Comment