One Month

Only 19 days or so to go before we get to meet baby girl, but my one month title refers to it being exactly one month since one of the worst nights of my life happened.

I know I'll never forget falling onto the road and the way my belly hit my pavement and feeling immediately paralyzed.  I won't ever forget screaming bloody murder for Ryan to get outside as fast as he could.  I won't forget the relief I felt when I could feel Everleigh moving around in my belly while we were stuck in traffic on 95 going to the hospital.  As we sat in traffic, practically laughing at the irony of being stuck in traffic after what just happened.  I told Ryan on the way there that I really hoped that we would get to the ER, they would say I sprained my arm and that an Ace bandage would fix me straight.  I was so worried about baby girl that I had no idea my arm was so bad and that it would result in surgery.

So, what I have I learned in the last month?  I've learned Ryan and I had to depend on each other more than we ever have before, and that no spouse should have to bathe their significant other until the age of 80.  I also had no idea Ryan would so quickly take over the duties of grocery shopping and cooking dinners every night so quickly.  He's made every meal since 12/27 and I couldn't be happier I picked him as my life partner, even with his grumpy mumbles from time to time.

I've learned you can't complain about things that you can control, but it's also okay to throw yourself a pity party every now and then.  If I didn't say that I had a few times where I just completely broke down in the shower than I would be lying.  I'm pretty sure if I wasn't pregnant, I would still really struggle with the frustrations of not being able to do things for myself.

I've learned that life throws things your way and that you have to look at the positives because your attitude 100% controls your life.

I've learned that not everyone is always nice and caring, and that being pregnant with a broken arm doesn't give you entitlement to someone caring about you and checking in on you, particularly the person that caused the fiasco in the first place.  I have learned, also, that the people you surround yourself with can often provide more support, love, and sympathy than you could ever imagine.  I'm so grateful for that.

I've learned that just when I think my belly can't get any bigger or feel any heavier, it does.

I also learned that just when you think life can't throw you anymore curve balls, it does.

A few days ago, I noticed my tongue felt weird and I couldn't really taste normally.  I did a quick google search and read something about baby's weight can put pressure on nerves causing weird things to happen.  A couple of days later, my lips felt weird and I noticed I didn't have control over them also.  Sunday night I researched it more and came across something called Bell's Palsy, which occurs a lot in pregnant women.

At my weekly appt yesterday (Monday), I told my doctor my concerns and he had me do certain movements with my face and blink, etc.  He confirmed there was definitely something wrong and gave me a prescription for steroids to help with the nerves.  He knows I've had so many blows that by the end of the appointment he gave me a hug and put my shoes and socks back on for me.  He also called me today just to see how I was doing.  I love, love my doctor!

I have all of these symptoms to give you an idea of what I'm going through.  The drooling is pretty minimal, but it's just hard to drink and eat without losing some of my drink. etc.

It sucks.  Nothing about this third trimester has been pleasant, but I'm dealing with it.  I want to hibernate until Everleigh is here, my arm is better and this Bell's Palsy goes away.  I can't, so I'll just pray for a healthy delivery with my cast and keep hope in that these steroids will make this crazy weird disorder disappear.

Now that I've gotten all of THAT out of the way, let me get to my weekly pic & survey. :)  The doc did check me again yesterday and she's dropped, but still not even 1cm dilated.  Ugh!

No more smily pics with my right side droopy face.  This will have to do!

How far along? 37 WEEKS!
Stretch marks? Nothing on belly still! Hallelujah!
Sleep: Good nights and bad nights,  After the doc appt Monday, I had a bad night last night.
Best moment this week? The hospital tour we had tonight.  The hospital and so nice and being in the labor and delivery room made me so excited.  I was surprised since seeing huge spotlights on a ceiling and a bed with stirrups should be terrifying, but it didn't make me nervous.  "Pain with a purpose" as the Childbirth class nurse told us. :)
Miss anything? Feeling healthy and normal.  10000000%.
Movement? She stretched like crazy yesterday and today she's been pretty lazy.  She must of sensed the snow on the ground and is pretty matching her mother's defeated mood today!
Food Cravings? Salad..finally a healthy craving!  Could be because I feel so unhealthy is other parts of my life right now, too.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.
Labor signs? I feel her lower now...sometimes like she's going to fall out between my legs.  Other than that, nothing!
Happy or moody most of the time? Moody...def moody.
Looking forward to? Meeting Everleigh for the first time!  You can come any day now, baby girl.  We're ready and tired of waiting!  Car seat is installed and nursery is DONE! Here are pics to prove it :)

 Obsessed with the hot air balloon mobile from Etsy...I hope Everleigh likes it too!

 I'll eventually make that corner a reading corner, but this will do for now!

I just need to get one more picture frame for the empty spot in the photo collage. 

25 Days or Less ! ! ! !

SO much harder doing a chalkboard with my left hand

How far along? 36 WEEKS!
Stretch marks? Nothing new! If I can make it through with no marks on the belly then I will tell every stranger I see (including men) that Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil is worth its weight in gold!
Sleep: Just waking up to pee a few times a night and tossing from me left to right side.  This cast doesn't make it easy.  Ryan told me I'm still snoring.  I'm exhausted everyday after work and always want a nap.
Best moment this week? Getting to see Everleigh in the ultrasound on Monday 1/19.  Her heartbeat is around 150 and shes still head down!  She was being shy with her hands over her face so no good face pics.  The coolest was seeing her practicing her breathing...her little ribs moving up and down.  Crazy!
Miss anything? Laying on my stomach. Breathing and walking easily.  Having two hands and arms to function. Drinking a glass of wine.
Movement? She's been active the past few days.  I can feel her hands/fingers really low and kicks are still pretty high.  She gets the hiccups every now and then and it's so cute to feel them!
Food Cravings? Chocolate milk! Has to be a big glass with Hershey's syrup.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Prilosec is a lifesaver, so good here.
Labor signs? Nope.  Doc didnt check me this week, but I don't feel like Ive had a lot of Braxton Hicks and she's still hanging out really high in mah belly!
Happy or moody most of the time? Moody...pretty sure itll be like this from here on out.
Looking forward to? We WILL get the nursery done, hospital bags packed, and carseat installed this weekend.  HAS to happen!!

More updates in pictures:

Hand/arm therapy.  I do about an hour a day.  This is part of my contract bath - squeeze sponge in warm water for 30 seconds then sway wrist in cold water for 30 second,  Repeat for 15 MINUTES.  You can see how swollen my wrist and hand is and it's almost been a month.  :(

Elevating feet. big belly, elevating arm with a heat pack, then guess who wants up on the couch??

The crib mobile we had made since I cant DIY.  WAY better than I could of done!!

One month to go!!

35 Weeks!

Stretch marks: Fingers crossed....nothing new :)

Sleep: Sleeping a little better now that I have a new cast, but still pretty tired all day from lack of night sleep and running around like mad for work.  I wake up to pee about 3 times a night and my hip hurts if I lay on one side for too long.  Anytime I roll over I feel as if a bowling ball is just chilling in my belly.

Best moment of this week: Getting my huge cast off at my post op appt Tuesday.  Its still crazy frustrating, but at least now I dont have a sling and this one is much thinner so I can wear more maternity clothes over it.  

Miss anything: A lot! I just cant wait to feel healthy and normal again.  Can. not. wait.  I know I have a long road ahead being that even if my arm/hand gets back to normal before delivery, than labor will put me right back into the "unable to do things for myself" category.

Movement: Mostly after eating or when I lay on my side.  I think she grabs my bladder and squeezes some days.  She's pretty lazy most days though

Food cravings: Cereal and chocolate.  And lots of milk.  Lots.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I accidentally looked at my arm after the doc took off the cast and arm sock.  It was so gross I got really hot and uncomfortable.  Ryan had to fan me.  I cant handle gross stuff in the first place, but something about being my own arm and knowing how it makes me feel really sucks.  Helpless, vulnerable, weak, and broken.  Just broken.

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks...I feel them more now.

Belly button in or out: As outtie as my innie will get.

Happy or moody most of the time: Moody.  I cry everyday over something.

Looking forward to: Ultrasound on Monday!  Thought we had our last one but doc wants to do another because he keeps saying she isnt going to be a small baby.  I'm also concerned hes going to pull me out of work because he didn't seem happy I plan on working til delivery,

 Hat I got off of Etsy for the hospital :)

 My new right arm.  2 plates and 12 screws.  There for-ev-er.

New cast - chose pink velcro in spirit of baby girl! 

Since I couldn't make the crib mobile as planned, I ordered one off of Etsy.  She made this sign as an extra surprise! Made me so happy.

34 Weeks

So much to catch up on...so hard to do with 1 left hand.

This is all I have for 32 weeks. All I can remember about 32 weeks is that we had an ultrasound and found out that she is already head down and her head is about 66th percentile.  She weighed about 4 lb 13 oz and everything was looking good!

I made the sign when Ryan was raising the crib, so I decided to go let the dogs for a quick potty before taking the weekly picture before running out to dinner.

Little did I know that quick potty break would turn into one of the worst nights of my life.

Background -We moved into our new house that has a backyard fence and new sod.  We've been taking the dogs across the street to a vacant lot so we don't ruin the sod before it has time to root into the ground.

Anyway, the dogs were doing their business when I hear the neighbors dog barking and running in the front yard.  As soon as I heard the dog, I made sure to have our great dane, Samson, sit down while I waited for the neighbor to get her dog.  Instead of the dog getting picked up, it kept getting closer and closer and barking and barking.  I knew if Samson saw Zoe get close to the dog than Samson would freak, so I picked up Zoe and made Samson continue to sit.

It happened SO quick, but the dog got close and Samson lunged after it.  I tried controlling Samson, but the next thing I know I'm in the street falling face forward onto the road.  Samson got loose and started running after the dog.  Zoe stayed with me and I immediately cried bloody murder for Ryan hoping he would hear and come outside.  He did, and was able to get Samson after he chased the dog back into the neighbors house.

I laid on the street because I knew there was something wrong with my right arm and I felt my belly hit the pavement.  We took a trip to the ER and 6 hours later I was released after Xrays, pain pills, a cast, and a Non Stress Test that said Everleigh was doing just fine, thank God!

FYI...before this incident, I was sick....so I feel like between sickness, Christmas, and this craziness I haven't made pictures or posting here a priority.

Monday after the fall we met with an ortho surgeon who let us know I would have to get surgery and get pins or plates.  This XRay explains why:

  I had surgery on New Years Eve.  We went to my OBs before the hospital to do another NST before surgery and sedation.  She did ok so then it was off to surgery.  I couldn't get put to sleep because I'm pregnant so that made the experience that more interesting.  The doc put plates and screws in and the pain afterwards was the absolute worst.

I'm healing and went back to work yesterday.  Everything is hard...but we're taking it day by day.  I'll update more later but typing is really frustrating me so I need a break!

Stretch marks: Still nothing on belly! Woo!

Sleep: Nope...with this cast I can't ever get comfortable.  I pee about 3 times a night and it almost feels impossible to get out of bed each time.  I can really only lay on my left side, but I get hip pain after about 2 hours.  I try to sleep on my back some even though I know it isnt best for blood flow. I feel horrible about it but not sure what other options there are. :/ 

Best moment of this week: Surprise baby shower at work!  Made me so happy after the mess of the last 2 weeks.  

Miss anything: Oh boy....I miss doing things for myself including showering without Ryan having to bathe me, dressing/undressing myself, cooking, being able to hold more than 1 thing, getting up off of the couch with ease....I could go on for days.

Movement: I feel like her hands touch my hip bones some days.  Kicks are more subtle, but she surprises me with some painful ones from time to time.  I started feeling hiccups this week too:)

Food cravings: Nothing really except cheddar and sour cream Ruffles. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of delivering and holding/feeding/changing her diaper for the first time in a cast, and potentially still not having full movement in my right fingers when shes born.  Makes me so incredibly sad I could cry and barf at the same time. 

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks...I feel them more now.

Belly button in or out: Its poking a bite but since I have an innie you cant really tell!

Happy or moody most of the time: Trying to stay happy between the stress and body aches! Im so thankful shes okay after the fall so I hardly complain about anything pregnancy...mainly just get total grumpster about anything with my arm.

Looking forward to: Packing up the hospital bags and finishing the nursery this weekend.  Has to get done!!