Progression...

Unlike this beautiful photo---

via

Turns out, progression isn't always a good thing!!

Yet another L&D visit last night.

I feel like my body's done so well this entire pregnancy only to be failing me right now...Boo! 

G.I Joe's Wife , a fellow blogger used this similar sentence after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes yesterday; I can totally relate!

After dinner was served and put away last night,  I went upstairs only to be met with spotty vision. It was so weird! Like bright fire embers floating all around me then softly dimming out;  a lot like miniature fireflies...I've NEVER seen spots like that before--- ever!
If I hadn't of been so freaked out I would have thought they were beautiful. LOL!

Spots in my vision and headaches are something the doctors keep telling me to watch out for in the progression of preeclampsia. So I was a tad hysterical because I had the headache and no matter how much I blinked or diverted my eyes, the spots didn't improve.

I called L&D right away and they pulled me in because of the nasty head pounding and vision issues.  After a fluid sample, my fear was confirmed. The results came back with slightly elevated proteins.

GASP!

 I so didn't want to hear that but I was glad that I followed my gut and went in...

Score #1 for the home team though---Baby "G" was doing awesome!! BIG SMILE! When you go in, they hook you up to a sensor that monitors her heartbeat as well as my contractions.
She was just HANGING OUT;  chillaxin really--- Not showing any signs of stress even though I was contracting quite a bit.

R thinks she might have his even temperament. He doesn't get bent out of shape over most things which is something I LOVE about that man. I would be over the MOON if baby girl had this as well.

Okay, lets get back on track! I've been instructed not to spas out just yet. As long as my blood work stays the same, baby girl has plenty of fluid around her, my symptoms do not worsen, etc I'll be able to carry her until 39 weeks; just as long as the environment stays safe for Mom and Baby.

SOOOOO this means I will definitely have my membranes stripped around week 36 to help progress labor. The midwife on duty told me that the stripping would be SO EASY at this point...Guess that's a good thing? I understood it to mean, not as painful. HAHA!

I really feel like Sugar cube is getting ready to appear anyhow. I've been contracting SO MUCH! Maybe due to the progressing preeclampsia as that does throw you into preterm labor.

Please just pray that we go into labor without being induced...I'm SO SCARED OF THAT!

As for my guilt with all this, the midwife gave me some words of wisdom that really took the pressure off. She said that first time moms are more prone to developing this disease and that doctors cannot give a reason why.

I asked her what I might be doing wrong at home and what I could do better. She said "nothing." Preeclampsia cannot be avoided if it's going to develop. It doesn't matter what you do...I was prepared to go on bed rest to help with the high BP but apparently a high BP is just a symptom and not a driving force for the disease.

So this is completely out of my control and in the big guys hands...I'm somewhat of a controlling person, in my  own life--- However, I can be okay with this...Some things cannot be controlled and this is obviously one of them...

Just keep us in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks!!

I'm off to start ANOTHER 24 hour fluid count. Oh joy---


    

34 Week Baby Bump!

Yup. Here's our big shiny belly Sugar cube at 34 weeks today !

POW! This is where you can REALLY see the growth---

Absolutely INSANE how much she grows in just 7 days but exciting stuff!!!

I think it's funny and a bit disappointing how I haven't gotten that nice high, round and popped out look. No doubt I'm carrying low but I think my torso has a lot to do with the shape of my belly; long torso equals long and thick baby belly?

Maybe this has attributed to the lack of stretch marks--- (THANK THE ALMIGHTY FATHER, CONSUMPTION OF WATER, COCO BUTTER AND GOOD GENES!!!) Granted, I'm not out of the woods yet;)

So a little about Baby "G" this week---

She's the size of THIS!
I'm not really sure what this is though...LOL...They call it a Durian? Hold on---let me Google!!

  

Okay, so Baby "G" is a big sized fruit, grown in Malaysia, that smells like stinky socks yet has a succulent creamy filling.

Hmmmm...Maybe we'll just go with other pregnancy websites and say she's a cantaloupe;)

She's anywhere from 4.2 to 5.8 lbs and measures 17.2 to 18.7 inches long. So definitely getting big enough to show her pretty face! Speaking of which, I CANNOT wait for our fetal growth ultrasound on February 3rd...The last time we saw baby girl was at 22 weeks exactly; I thought she was ADORABLE back then. I can only imagine how much cuter she's gotten:)

thebump.com says she's doing a lot of ease dropping and really listening in on everything being said on the outside. I find that fascinating! Better tell my sister M to stop being such a potty mouth, haha!

As for Momma, I am getting very anxious to meet her! I know R is too. He keeps saying, "I just want to get the show on the road!" Poor guy has a heart attack every time I tell him I'm contracting. I think he thinks she's coming---RIGHT THEN! So cute:)  He says he'll be very excited for when we go into labor. But scared, right along with that. Completely natural I'd say!

Me,  I'll definitely be skipping down the halls to labor and delivery but I'll be SOOOOOO nervous. All of that unknown crap, ya know!

Things are getting very real. After all we're 34 WEEKS! Not to mention my L&D scare on Monday and then again last night... I basically contracted from 9:30 pm until, well now even...Although the ones last night were more painful and coming closer together...That lasted until about 6:00 am. I called L&D because I was having 3 of their preterm labor warning signs. I basically get the impression that you don't need to worry unless the contractions bring pain in your abdomen. So for now, I'm calling these contractions, persistent braxton hicks:)

We've finalized all of Baby girls needs except for her cloth diaper stash. I'm still doing research but also having a hard time pulling the trigger on a brand...I REALLY REALLY need to start thinking about packing a hospital bag and a baby bag soon too. Maybe install the car seat? I can't believe I even just typed that! It seems like yesterday I was staring at those 2 pink lines for the first time...HOLY MOLY!

But for now, I'm going to rest these extra large feet of mine then think about taking the dogs to the puppy park. Piper makes me feel so guilty with my lack of energy these days! She's really going to hate life once Sugar cube arrives...

Pray for these two, especially the brown one, that their lives arn't turned too topsy-turvy and that I don't suffer too badly from guilt in the coming months!!

This Makes It Real--

Today was definitely not the productive day I had planned...It started and ended with a lovely and very vivid---

We're honest to gosh having a baby and her arrival is very soon!

My day was going to include my first fetal stress test this morning, then a trip to the hospital lab, a long wait at DEERS for my on post I.D card and a grocery run to the commissary. Basically a redo of Saturday a.k.a my cranky pants day;)

Well what was supposed to be a 30 minute stress test turned into a 5 hour labor and delivery adventure. Sugar cube was doing just fine; it was momma who they were concerned about.

Apparently, during my 30 minutes of monitoring, I was contracting WAY WAY too much for their liking. On top of that, I was feeling them. (Nothing too terrible. It felt like a light cramping in addition to my belly getting really hard with each one.)

Let me tell ya, you definitely get violated up in that place! I so wasn't prepared for a day of sitting on my bare buns, with my naked belly exposed for all to see. Not to mention all the poking, prodding and hours of being starved but not being allowed to eat. This pregnant lady hadn't had a THING to eat since 6:00 am and I was feeling it!

They did all sorts of tests to try and decide if and why I was going into preterm labor i.e dehydration, infection etc. I managed to talk them out of giving me an IV for fluids. Asked them if I could just down some water and they let me. Score for no needles today! The extra water seemed to help some even though I have been drinking SO MUCH already. I was frigid cold by the end, managing to down 4- 32oz cups in 1 hour.

OH MY GOD DID I HAVE TO PEE!

The nurse was really surprised at how fast I drank each one. The first one I drank in 1 minute flat. She was like, "BOY! You REALLY don't want that IV do you!"

 No mam I do not, haha!

R was freaking out the entire time, asking if he needed to bust a move and get his fanny up there. (My words not his.) I told him to hold out until the doctors were able to tell me more. They checked my cervix for any dilation. Again, I wasn't expecting anything in that way, but apparently I was sitting at 1 centimeter. 2 hours later there was no progress, thank gosh. so they finally released me.

So in short, today was a super long day where I didn't get anything done. However, baby girl is fine (the most important thing) and I was released after 5 hours, still contracting but not dilating anymore then the 1 centimeter I had gotten to. I was instructed to take it easy and drink even MORE water. Lord help me. I'm going to just live on the toilet for now on.

I didn't feel in any real danger of Baby "G" arriving today (call it mommy intuition) although I was kinda taken back when they told me I was having real contractions and how many. Wasn't expecting that. I definitely feel like she'll make it to 37 weeks but anything beyond that I couldn't guarantee.

One thing is definitely clear though and right on par; Sugar cube is already giving her daddy white hairs, before his time;)

That's my girl!   

Mrs. Cranky Pants

Today was definitely a hormonal pregnant lady, cranky pants day---

source
I looked a lot like this!

It started out well enough. R was called into work because of 4 unexpected snow days they received, so I decided to make use of the a lone time and get some errands done.

 After 5 days of bad road conditions, I REALLY needed to make a grocery run to the commissary and also the hospital lab. So after putting my grocery list together, grabbing my jug for testing and already feeling exhausted (mistake number one) I headed out, only to be met at the guard gate with an expired I.D card...UGH!

Slight irritation number one, even though it wasn't their fault but my own.

When you're pregnant, you don't see reason, just inconvenience. Am I right???

My thoughts???  I have stickers on my car, why won't they just let me in with my drivers license? Whatever.

So I get stopped, pulled aside like some criminal and am asked to fill out 3 pages of paperwork.

Keep in mind, 2 days ago, baby girl dropped making it really hard to walk 3 feet without having to pee. And last night my first experience with braxton hicks start which continue into today.

After having my I.D card confiscated (sounds so dirty) I'm given some papers and told to head to the DEERS (I.D card) office. Wait a minute. I was on my way to the hospital...What if I'd been in labor or something. I honestly don't want to believe that a valid I.D card would take precedence over that...

Okay. ANYWAY....I DON'T head to the DEERS office as instructed but instead make my way to the hospital but with yet another errand on my list. Go get a flippin I.D card...Ugh...I don't know about other pregnant women but at almost 34 weeks HUGE you gotta pick and choose your battles because energy is in short supply! NO big deal, I tell myself. I can handle this!

Once at the hospital, I decide to park at a different building entrance. This (should) bring me to  the (short) route I've been told about but never tried. (mistake number 2) So here I am. Big as a whale. Carrying a bucket with ice and a jug of pee that I swear weighs 20 pounds...I mean, it was a 24 hour urine count and I do drink A LOT of water...*slosh slosh slosh* I make my way into the building thinking I'm real slick for cutting off some walking. You know. To save energy. Two MILES later, totally discombobulated and feeling like my calves were going to EXPLODE, I find the lab. And guess what?

IT'S CLOSED!!!!

People, I know the weather put a damper on things but it's melted now! If this pregnant, Georgia driving, lady can venture out with her little box of a car, you can too! Not to mention, the drop off station is supposedly open 24/7 meaning it doesn't even require man power to run this side of the lab! That's all I needed. To drop this off...I really considered just leaving my jug of pee right there at their front door. BUT it needs to be on ice and I didn't want to have to redo the sample.

Peeing in a jug EVERY TIME YOU HAVE TO PEE WHILE PREGNANT is a pain y'all. Let me tell ya!! Especially at night, when you have to run downstairs each time because your jug has to stay in the fridge. Yeah, no sleep...

Moving on.

Irritated beyond belief, I left trying to find my way back to the car. I found a back way with LOTS of stairs. Of course it had stairs...

Back at my car, calves screaming again, I get in and head to the DEERS office...I NEED to get this done otherwise I'll miss my fetal stress test appointment on Monday. I already missed the one on Thursday because of the weather. I CAN'T MISS THIS ONE.  

However, you guessed it. They usually are open on a Saturday but every third Saturday they close down...Which happened to be today...Oh the smile that came across my face reading that little piece of white paper...I lost all sane person emotional control at that point.

FRICK. FRACK. FRICKIN FRACK!!!!

At this point I'm SOOOOO pissed. I had every intention of getting my grocery shopping done but back at my car, I text my husband a really nasty, I hate my life, text and head to the nearest Burger King to emotionally eat my weight in all things bad. HA!

"Screw this day" was how I ended that text to hubby.

His sweet response was "I'll have the tea kettle on when you get home Love." Bless that man!

It doesn't end there though. Apparently I hit the on post burger joint at lunch hour so I sit in the drive thru for FORTY MINUTES!!! There were curbs on either side so I'm committed...

My thoughts in those LONG MINUTES? Getting angrier by the second...

GOD I HAVE TO PEE!!!

GOD I'M HUNGRY!!!

YOU'RE TOTALLY LOOSING IT BEC!

 I DON'T CARE!!!

GOD I'M SCARED FOR THESE PEOPLE.

SO THIS IS WHY THEY TELL YOU TO PACK SNACKS...

My phone and android app for Facebook were the only two things that saved me. No joke.

As you can tell, I'm a hot mess at this point...I literally start to cry...Forty minutes later, I snatch my bag of food, wolf it down and drive like a (mad) lady back home and to my bathroom...

I make it home where R is waiting with my tea so I immediately hug him and start to cry again!!! I tell him "today I really hate being pregnant."  He rubs my back and tells me it's legal. That I've done a bang up job and hormonal days are allowed...

He realized that only one thing was going to save this day. A long nap! So he kicks the dogs out of the room, sets my sleepy time tea on the night stand and tells me to get some rest. I love my husband:)

 God I felt so pathetic and I KNEW I was being hormonal and bizarre but Lord only knows I couldn't stop the feelings of wanting to strangle something, ANYTHING!

So yeah... Total hormonal pregnant lady, cranky pants day:) But I'm better now!

I hope you got a kick out of this as much as I did; AFTER I calmed down;) This day just had to be documented, however, because it was my first!!! I guess I'm part of that crazy club now, you hear husbands talk about. LOL.

33 Weeks---Good And Bad News

We are 33 weeks today Baby "G" and I couldn't be happier ♥

Really knocking these weeks down!

In fact, we might be seeing your sweet face sooner then planned. MIGHT. 

After weeks of trying to keep my blood pressure below the advised 140/90, my medical team (doctor, nurse and midwife) finally diagnosed me with gestational hypertension; a fancy word for high blood pressure due to pregnancy. I'm told this is in the disease "family" of preeclampsia/eclampsia which I was tested for last month and came out clean. However, I'm told it can develop at any moment so baby and I are being closely monitored for the rest of this pregnancy.

This condition can be really scary for mom and baby. Baby can show great signs of distress during this, so I am going in twice a week for fetal stress testing in addition to any extra urine and/or blood work that needs to be done weekly. I also have a fetal growth ultrasound scheduled in a few weeks to make sure baby girl is growing. I always love seeing her cute baby face:)

From the looks of my belly this week though, I'd say her growth isn't going to be a concern;) However, apparently preeclampsia can affect a baby's ability to grow as needed so they want to check it.

I honestly feel fine and I feel like baby girl is fine. However, I appreciate the doctors doing their job and erring on the side of caution. I REALLY AM THANKFUL! It definitely makes me feel more confident and that mom and baby are in very good hands:)

Baby "G" and I have 7 weeks left before our due date. However the longer I carry, the higher my risk of developing preeclampsia becomes. My doctor wants to inducing no later than 39 weeks considering my protein test comes back negative.

I'm SOOOOOOOO not down with this but if I don't pass the protein test I will be scheduled for an induction or a c-section almost immediately. I really wanted to go into labor naturally but I will do whatever it takes to deliver a healthy baby and keep a healthy momma around:)

I was talking with my midwife after being given the news/time frame/method of delivery and mentioned to her that I REALLY wanted to go into labor naturally if I pass the test. I asked her, "what is stopping me from trying to go into labor starting at week 37?" This is when you're considered full term anyway where it would be safe for the baby to arrive. She was very supportive of this decision and even suggested it!

So I will be starting evening primrose pills at 36 weeks as well as, maybe, some membrane sweeping to help the baby move down into the birthing canal. I hear this can be painful but I am willing to give it a try in order to not be induced. I know this isn't the case all of the time, but being induced by pitocin REALLY increases your chances of needing a c-section. This I am TERRIFIED of and will do anything to stop a cesarean birth.

Again though, I will do whatever it takes to deliver a healthy baby. I just feel like I still have some options at this point and want to try what I can.

In addition to the above I will be increasing my walking by A LOT and doing quite a bit of snuggling with the hubby;) Which brings me to the GOOD NEWS!!! R WILL NOT BE GOING TO THE FIELD AS PLANNED!!!

Bring out the trumpets and sound the horns!!! I was so relieved when he text'd me after my appointment, saying that the commander felt it wise to keep him home with baby and I. Just in case there were complications. Not to mention, being there for the bajillion appointments I have to attend the next 6 weeks.

I think I spiked his blood pressure with the doctors results and concerns but he lowered mine with this news:)

So that's what's going on in the Baby "G" household this week! I get to keep my hubby around this month and next and we might be meeting our daughter as early as 37 weeks or earlier:)

Just keep us all in your prayers and thoughts...

I am off to enjoy a little of that hubby time...R got a snow day because Washington decided to dump on us with 13 inches of AWESOME POWDER!!! It's been so much fun watching the doggies play in it!

Hot chocolate anyone?             

A Little Stress Venting...

The closer we get to having this baby, the more anxiety I feel. Which I guess it completely normal...Anytime you're skirting uncharted territory, something new, you tend to worry. Or at least I do!

I've narrowed my stress factors down to a few things. The biggest one being that I'll go into labor at a really inconvenient time. HAHA! Let me explain.

My husband will be leaving to the field in 11ish days and won't return until I am on the brink of my 38th week! I'm terrified that Sugar Cube will show before then. Not just that though. I'm scared that I'll be all alone when the time comes, with no ride to the hospital!

Yes, there is always the ambulance option. But who wants to be transported to labor and delivery via an ambulance? Not me! I guess when it comes right down to it, if I'm in any amount of pain, I won't care who gets me there. But the idea of racing down the road with screaming sirens and the unfamiliar faces of whoever is inside that ambulance, staring at me, just doesn't sound appealing... 

Then there is the whole, WHERE will I go into labor, keeping in mind that hubby isn't back...I have 2 dogs y'all. They require exercise and the only place I've found where I can get them out, is at a dog park, 45 minutes from our house. We don't have side walks in our neighborhood or much of a neighborhood at all to walk them in...Taking them out by the road is just scary because I have only enough room to walk just me and not 2 large dogs on either side of myself.

This dog park is deluxe, let me tell you! But seriously, it's like 22 acres all in all...I can barely walk a mile without needing to pee or rest because my belly starts to contract a bit...So I'm either going to be the bad mom and not exercise my dogs while R is away or cave and possibly go into labor in a field of dried up grass...Or snow, seeing as we're now getting some:)

And lastly, I'm nervous that R won't be AT the delivery...It'll suck if he's not here when I start going into labor, but I can handle that, just as long as he gets to see his daughter being born...

Where their training, it's not TOO far. Maybe 200 miles, tops. But because of the recent weather development they are shutting down the passes to this place and so another route needs to be taken.

This other route will make it a 24 hour drive. They have to dispatch someone from Ft. Lewis to go get him (12 hours up) and them the ride back (12 hours.) I know of women who take more than 24 hours to deliver, but I'm not really banking on that being me. Also, who wants to be in labor that long!!!

I know it'll all work out and what will happen, will happen...The important thing being that baby girl arrives healthy:)

Speaking of baby girl and the fact that she'll most definitely want baked goodies, I've been
 trying out my baking skills!     

Recipe

OMG, these are AMAZING and so hard to mess up. Made from scratch, strawberry cupcakes with strawberry butter cream frosting! YUMMY! The frosting alone is divine. I had a hard time washing the access from the bowl and not just eating the left over. LOL.

These would be perfect for V-day coming up way to quickly!

Not A Foodie Blog But...

This is definitely not a foodie blog. I don't have enough pretty dishes for that or the patience to document every step with a picture. LOL. But recently I came across the BEST wings you'll ever put in your mouth!!! I just had to share. Football season is here. Right? This would definitely be appropriate finger food to serve your friends/family! 

This is also my very first food post, so bare with me:)

The Worlds BEST Hot Wings

So finger lickin good!! 

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

10 chicken wings

oil for deep frying

1/4 cup real unsalted butter

1/4 cup hot sauce ( I Use Texas Petes)

1 dash ground black pepper

1 dash garlic powder

In a small bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Place chicken wings in a large nonporous glass dish or bowl and sprinkle flour mixture over them until they are evenly coated. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes. Exhibit A.

Combine the butter, hot sauce, pepper and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir together and heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and reserve for serving. Exhibit B. BEST SAUCE EVER!

Take note: use real butter here but make sure it's unsalted. Lesson learned:) 

Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) or if you throw a pinch of flour in and it comes to a roil. You're good:) The oil should be just enough to cover wings entirely, an inch or so deep.

Fry coated wings in hot oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until wings float. Exhibit C.

Remove wings from heat, place on paper towel. Looking yummy! 

Toss with reserved wing sauce and
SERVE!!!

If you love hot wings like I do, you have to give this a try! I served this last night with ranch, for dipping, and sweet potato fries as my side:)

ENJOY!

A Night Of Good Fortune

R and I ended up at a Japanese steak house last night for dinner and I'm so glad that we chose THIS steak house! We got sat beside this fun older couple who immediately struck up conversation. I LOVE when that happens. So much better then sitting in silence pretending that the other couples around the grill don't exist.  

After a very filling meal, as the waitress is taking payment, the older gentleman surprises me by saying he is a hair stylist; this I would NEVER have guessed in a million years. But apparently he is. Been cutting hair for 20 years and get this. He works for a salon that employs more than ONE HUNDRED stylists!!!!

What in the world! Have you ever been to a place that huge?

I about choked when he told me his hair cuts went for no less then $85 a pop.

Gulp!

Why did I tell him I needed a hair cut in mid February. I can't afford that!

However, he hands me a card for a complimentary cut on the house!

I was really surprised and felt the gesture so deeply. It was such a sweet thing to offer to a couple you barley knew. Especially when he can only give away three! 

So come mid February, right before Sugar Cube arrives, I'll be getting that hair cut:)
Too bad it'll be wasted on a trim seeing as I'm growing the locks out.

But hopefully I'll end up with something like this! 

Source

At any rate, I'm just so curious about this salon! I'm imagining a palace:)

Somebody Pinch Me!

I can't believe we're 32 weeks Baby "G"

Please excuse the crazy hair. I hate this growth phase!

My weekly pregnancy update says we have roughly seven weeks left!! WOO-HOO! Also to expect one pound a week weight gain. ICK. I'll be going to my next doctors appointment on the 16th where I so wish I could just skip that awful scale altogether. Seeing those numbers climb is getting painful!

  I was too lazy to put together a thrilling, quirky update so I've resorted to this pregnancy survey. It asks some questions I haven't answered yet, some I have and some are obvious but enjoy anyhow! 

Is this your first pregnancy? Yes!

When did you find out you were pregnant? June 24, 2011 at 6:30 am.

Was it planned? Yes. We had decided to stop protecting, hoping to conceive before R's deployment the following year. Wasn't expecting it to happen the first try though! We had only hoped that in six months time we might be expecting.

What was your first reaction? I knew I was pregnant before I tested, but needed to see it for myself. I got those two pink lines and felt nauseous/excited!! Butterflies in my tummy/butt, all that:) I kept pacing the bathroom saying over and over "We're pregnant. Oh my God! We're pregnant."


Who was with you when you found out? My sister M. We were getting dressed up to attend a military graduation; my husbands last cycle as a drill.

Who was the first person you told? Well M of course because I needed a second pair of eyes. The lines were so faint I wanted to make sure they were actually there! I then told my husband after the graduation, once he got home.


How did your parents react? They were happy for us! But it's kinda not a big deal anymore; the grandchild thing that is. My parents already have five grand babies:) Now R's parents were a different story:) This is their first grandchild.


How far along are you? 32 weeks!


What was your first symptom? Shortness of breath and major irritation.


What is your due date? March 7, 2012!!


Do you know the sex of the baby? Sure do. It's a sweet little girl. My husband keeps having dreams of her coming out a boy though. I would DIE if that happened but par the course for us:)


Have you picked out names? Miss Alyssa Quinn! So happy we finally agreed on a name:)


How much weight have you gained? 29 lbs. I have definitely gained some love. Mostly in my arms, neck, face, boobs, and fingers? LOL. I always gain weight in my lower half so to see a plump face and arms is a little weird. I'm hoping it'll burn off quickly seeing as I don't carry weight there. Don't get me wrong. My buns and thighs have seen better days as well, ha!


Do you have stretch marks? NO YET! Although, my belly is growing RAPIDLY; not sure how much more my skin can take! I might just need to sleep in a bathtub of lotion from here on out:)


Have you felt the baby move? Mostly in the evenings after 5:00. She might be a night owl like her momma!


Have you heard the heartbeat? Yes and every time is like the first time! I love hearing the thumping. It makes me smile everytime!


Home or hospital birth? Hospital!!!


Natural or medicated birth? Undecided. Most likely medicated unless I get in there and it's not AS bad as I thought. That's probably not gonna happen though.


Who will be in the delivery room with you? My husband and maybe my sister M.


Will you breastfeed? That's the plan!


Do you think you'll need a c-section? Lord, I hope not! This is my biggest fear right now. Well that, and my husband not making it in from the field in time for the birth.


Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time? I'm not sure. I'm not much on crying but I have a sneaking suspicion it'll be a very emotional moment; a few tears might spill out:)


What's the first thing you might say to her? I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of looking but the most natural thing that came to mind is "your beautiful."


Would you let someone videotape the birth? Absolutely not. I don't want to see that and I'm sure my daughter will never want to either.


Are you excited about the birth, or scared? Both. I'm excited to meet her and also have my body back. I'm also scared that things might get complicated in the delivery room; that it might not go as planned.


Best moment this week? R talking to the baby. She's been pretty active at night when I'm trying to sleep and her moving around is getting uncomfortable. My husband puts a hand on my belly, speaking real close and tells her "Hey little one. Settle down in there. Mommy has had a long hard day and needs to rest. Be good. Go to sleep. I love you and I'll see you real soon." Then he kisses the belly. It actually has worked 2/2 times! I LOVE IT! Melts my heart completely:)

Americas (Next) Extreme Couponer?

Finding out your expecting is a huge deal and so exciting! However around week 20 of your pregnancy, when the ultrasound reveals the sex of your baby, a sudden anxiety sets in--- At least it did for me. We had been holding off on buying baby items; not being sure if Baby "G" was team pink or team blue. But now that we knew and had the green light, shopping had to commence!

Suddenly, like most couple's who Do NOT have boo-koo bucks, you're stressing a bit! I remember making a list of all the baby items we needed/wanted: crib, changing table, glider for nursing, car seat, stroller---You get the idea. The list was pretty long!!! And expensive. So I had to revise---and revise---and revise yet again! Pretty soon our list was bare bones. ABSOLUTE necessities and nothing more. It was kinda depressing!

After that, I developed a new found motivation and obsession for finding crazy deals and saving money! Take a look at some of these AWESOME finds!!! I can't wait to compare the retail value to our actual cost at the end!

A BabyBjorn Miracle Carrier.

Retail value of ($189.99)

Actual cost was ($44.00) Thank you Ebay!

Bright Starts Ingenuity Automatic Bouncer

Retail Value of ($64.99)

Actual cost was ($25.00)

Gotta love your local consignment shops! 

Boppy Infant Feeding & Support Pillow

Retail value of ($49.99)

Actual cost was ($20)

Babies' R' Us rocks super coupons.

Add that with their rewards card, equals smokin good deals!

Medela Pump Instyle Advanced Breast Pump With Metro Bag

Retail value of (349.99)

Actual cost was ($100.00)

A Craigslist SUPER FIND!

Almost brand new, not even a year old with a warranty still!

Don't worry, I'll be replacing the parts that actually touched skin;)

Sony 900 MHZ Baby Call Nursery Monitor

Retail value of ($79.99)

Actual cost was ($16.00)

Babies' R ' Us

Again, coupon paired with

rewards card equals smokin good deals!

BOB 2011 Revolution SE Stroller in Orange

Retail value of ($449.99)

Actual cost was ($195.00)
Babies 'R' Us!!!

I HAVE A BOB!!!

Miso happy:)

The time has come--
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!
Total retail value of items above ($1184.94)
Total cost to us ($400)
That's a ($784.94) savings!!!
I'm looking at this number and I still can't believe my eyes!!

I won't even go into detail about my HUGE savings over Black Friday. But as you can see, it doesn't matter if your a new mom trying to build your stash or just wanting something out of your price range. Make use of your coupons, consignment shops, local Goodwill's, Craigslist and Ebay. You might just be surprised at what can happen!!!  

I'm Diggin it!

Switching back to my everyday blog feels awesome! But it also has me scared. It's been so long since I wrote a non baby related post that I'm afraid I've forgotten how to write anything else!...Non sense;)

Lately I've been reading through old posts I wrote as a new blogger, all the way back in '09! It's been a blast!!! Although, two things are clear to me; I obviously didn't use spell-check and I didn't believe in paragraph's, but rather ONE LOOOONG post. AWESOME! Because of that, it's been hard to not "edit" my work beyond finally using spell-check. But I won't. I think it add's character and it definitely reminds me how much fun I was having, just writing!

Which brought me to this thought---There are times where you loose sight of why you blog. Especially when you allow yourself to be wrapped up in other blogs; trying to compete with their 400+ followers. Trust me, It happens! As a new blogger I fell into that trap. Eventually, it became like work and a source of anxiety. "how can I get more followers. More comments. Oh no, I haven't read and commented on every blog I follow today." Some people follow over a hundred! There's no way you can sustain that and still allow time for your life and family. I still love comments though. That hasn't changed;) 

So I'm excited to be back! But I'm more excited that I've matured as a blogger and found a good balance. I no longer feel the need to post EVERY day nor do I feel the need to comment on EVERY blog post I read. I love reading about other people, but when their life over shadows the time to live mine...Something has to go! Right!?!? I know I'm not the only one who has dealt with this...There are definitely more type A personalities out there, so speak up!

If your not really sure about the highlights of this post, your not alone...But lets recap!

• Balance is good!
• I'm back in the saddle again. But the saddle feels stiff!
• I apparently did not proof read or use spell-check in the past.
• I have a type A personality:)
• I'm thankful for the "Export" function on blogger. It's been fun reading all my previous babble:)
• My name is Becca--

Works for me!

    

New Year Needs A New Look!

Check out my new sunny slice of the web!



I have officially made the move over from my previous blog Just A Lil' Baby Dust. I hope you decide to scroll down on the right and follow me as we continue this pregnancy. TAKE NOTE: This isn't just a baby blog anymore. I'm getting back to my old blogging roots as an Army wife where I write about anything and everything! So a very random, random blog-- One small request though. I LOVE to hear from my readers! Especially in the early stages of trying to build a blog. It's what keeps me inspired and writing so please feed the need if you feel so inclined!:) Judge if you will--

Just a quick but  HUGE thank you to Kendra over at Keylime Digital Designs for this magnificent piece of art. She was fabulous! I gave her a few details about me, colors and patterns I like and WHAM. A few hours later she came up with, pretty much, all of this! LOVE LOVE IT! I feel like I'm back home again, in all the warm sunshine enjoying a soft summer day:) I hope you enjoy being on this page as much as I do. It's just so cheery and fun!

Now if only I had a porch swing and a glass of sweet tea--

How Lust(rous) You Are!

I'm in love! Here are a few things this mommy is lusting after ya'll. Like drool coming out of the side of my mouth, kinda lusting;)

These are "hooter hiders" for all you breastfeeding moms who would like to remain modest in public areas or even in your own home. Point finger HERE! These are made by a fellow military wife I came in contact with before leaving Georgia. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL work! I was/am so in love that my lusting days had to end... I will be the proud owner of the sassy pink/gray/yellow one in the photo above + one, shortly! Prettiest hooter hider I ever did see:)
Oh my gosh...What can I say about this adorable handmade baby hat! I big puffy heart LOVE you! I found myself on Etsy tonight, for the first time, and had to ask myself why I haven't been on there before? Probably a good thing because our credit card would be smoking by now:) Again, my lusting days had to END! Umm, yeah babe...That charge on our card from a Lillian? It's for the baby!

Now this modern/chic diaper bag is something I AM GREEN eyed over! And my lusting days are still alive and well-- Again, Etsy rocks! Who knows, I might find this in my possession before long...Hubby and I are trying to decide whether to do a backpack or a messenger bag to carry baby girls diapers in and something tells me we might be going with a messenger bag:) Big red arrows pointing above ♥


We've already purchased an awesome baby carrier but this is one I would want for myself! I like our recent purchase but it's more of a heavy duty carrier rather then a light and snug fitted throw on and go wrap. I hate that I cannot window shop...Again, this might be mine very soon!
This is a Beaba Babycook for making your own baby food. Which we're totally doing in this household. Have you seen the prices of baby food??? RIDICULOUS! It's not a "must have" item but I would welcome it with open arms should it find its way to my front door:)

AND THIS BAD MAMMA-JAMMA is going to stay on my lust list unless we win the lottery or find it for some insane price on Craigslist. The BOB is like the holy grail of running strollers and it's no wonder! I mean look at it! The thing could climb a snow capped mountain if need be...It's no secret that I like to run and have the itch really bad. This stroller is PERFECT for that and any terrain baby girl and I might come upon. ALL the while being oh so pretty!! I would definitely be inspired to use this if not sing to it and tuck it in at night, ha!

Feel free to add to this list if you can think of anything else I need to lust after. LOL

Hoist The Colors Matey!!

She's taking on water!

31 weeks today!!! And there's no doubt that the infamous pregnancy swelling has begun. Okay, I kidd. It begun weeks ago, but I was in denial;)

Holy Toledo! You certainly can't mistake this belly for anything other then being pregnant! But check out my hands y'all! My knuckles have almost COMPLETELY disappeared from this awful swelling--I look like the Michelin man's wife! Ewwwww.

Yup. That about sums it up!

Baby "G" is the size of 4 granny smith apples! She's about 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 pounds.

She's so big that I no longer feel those swift kicks but rather her pushing and stretching my belly, in a much slower motion. It's the weirdest feeling and looks even more strange, haha! Imagine a small puppy, in a laundry bag, sluggishly moving around. So strange and cool at the same time:)

The urge to meet our little girl and start mommy-hood is getting VERY strong! I've had 3 friends announce the birth of their babies lately, on Facebook, and it makes me so anxious! I want it to be my turn! However-- you still need to bake little one, so don't take mommy literally when I say I'm ready to meet you. Lol.

So a little update on me!

I'm pregnant. I'm swelling. I'm ready to be done.

Hmmm, what else?

I'm sleeping a lot better but still have sleepless nights, some. I'm really tired of waking up with nose bleeds and my gums being sore and yes, bloody. My eyesight is just awful. This is probably influencing some of the headaches I've been getting too. A mild nauseousness has returned this week. I thought I was done with that! Shrugs. Something new to add to the sea of symptoms; my sense of smell has gotten really strong! Really!?! I get this symptom NOW! Oh well, it's only for another 9 weeks. TOPS.

I'm still holding out for no stretch marks but I think I'll be getting an "outie." BOO! For anyone not sure what that is. It's when your belly button pops "out" during pregnancy. Sugar cube's sitting so low that she's bringing my belly button scary close to the surface. Don't ask me why, but those outies make me nervous. I guess I'm afraid that my belly button will stretch so much that it'll bust wide open. LOL! Totally unrealistic but still...

Completely unrelated but the makeover for my new blog has commenced! Head over to this link, Southern Roots & Combat Boots , and become a follower! You don't want to miss out on the exciting weeks to come;) The move will take place, most likely, this week or next. Just as soon as the makeover is installed. Hope to see your lovely faces there! ♥