34 Weeks!

This past Monday marked week 34 of my pregnancy. We had an appointment last Friday and everything looked great. The doctor said the baby is in the head down position! I guess he/she is getting in ready for the big day! The third trimester discomforts are really coming on strong lately. Sleeping has become a bit of a challenge. I've had a lot of nerve and sciatica pain in my hips and legs, not to mention a very sore tailbone. Work is also getting more difficult. By the end of the day my feet are aching pretty badly and I'm very sleepy. Heartburn is also in full swing lately. I don't mean to sound like a big whiner, it's really not that bad!! I know all the stuff I'm experiencing is expected. I'm thankful that the baby's doing great, my blood pressure's perfect and I don't have any swelling in my feet. I still can't believe the baby will be here so soon. Even 34 weeks into it, it still feels so surreal! I can't believe we're going to be parents in just a few weeks! Jeremy and I can't wait to meet our precious little baby, and hold it and kiss it. We've completed an infant care class and a breastfeeding class. Now, we're in our prepared childbirth class. Please pray for us and our baby as we truck through the next few weeks!

Trip to NJ/NY

Last Friday we left by car for a whirlwind trip up north. First was my good friend Christine's wedding in NJ where I was a bridesmaid. The wedding was Saturday, we had a great time. Despite a little bit of rain everything was beautiful. We're so happy for Ryan and Christine and the bright future they have ahead. Sunday morning we left early and drove up to my mom and dad's house in NY. They invited about 20 of our family friends over for a little party/baby shower. There was lots of good food and good company. It was so great to see everyone and we got lots of nice things for our new little baby. We also got to see my brother Thomas, his wife Elise and their baby Thomas. He's gotten so big since I saw him last. He's crawling around like crazy, he's so adorable I couldn't stop kissing his fat cheeks!! My good friend Sabreena and her husband Kurt stopped by too which was really cool. We spent the night that night and left the next day to head back south. Fortunately we were able to stop halfway and spend the night at my cousin Randy's house in Fredericksburg, VA. It was nice to see him and his family...and get a little break halfway too! We got home last Tuesday night, and we're definitely done with trips now until after the baby comes. I have to admit we were a little hesitant to travel so much and so far this late in my pregnancy. However, we're thankful to the Lord for keeping us safe and everything went great. Not to mention, the baby didn't decide to come while we were way far away from home!! Jeremy was great, he did all the driving and was very patient with me having to stop every couple hours to go to the bathroom, walk around, and usually eat too! All things considered, we had a really great time.

32 Weeks!

8 weeks to go! We're at the homestretch! We had another good report at the doctor's appointment. The baby's heart rate continues to be great, and i'm measuring perfect. From my pictures, it doesn't look like my belly's sticking out much further (even though I can tell it is!), but the uterus is definitely growing upward and filling up my whole abdomen. I've been feeling the baby move all over now...way over on my sides, then up in my ribs. I love feeling the baby move in my belly, I'm really gonna miss that after it's born. I love to watch my belly suddenly get lopsided and then a big wave followed by a lump on the opposite side. I'm beginning to recognize body parts, like feet and the baby's butt. I continue to feel really good. My only complaints are heartburn, which I've gotten used to, and leg cramps. Holy cow, the leg cramps wake me out of a dead sleep! Speaking of sleep, that's getting a little more difficult, but not too bad. Just some aching in my hips and back. Jeremy's been so great with me and has taken really good care of me. I'm so thankful for such a wonderful husband. He always has my best interest and my comfort as priority. Please pray for us as we're traveling to NJ this weekend for a wedding, followed by a trip up to my parents house in NY. We'll have to make a lot of stops just to go to the bathroom and walk around, but we'll make it! Please also pray for our precious baby as it's growing rapidly and putting some fat on during these last weeks!

The nursery is coming right along!

When I was off work for a couple weeks, my mom and I got a ton of things done around the house...one of which was working on the nursery. We got a mirror above the dresser and got the book shelf set up. We also got a glider and painted the wood white. My mom put together the picture montage above the glider. There is an empty space above the glider which will have the baby's name once it's born. We also hung curtains and got the closet organized. I'm sure it probably seems strange to have a tv in a baby nursery, however, I'm trying to accommodate my sports fanatic husband. I figure since our baby will be born in the middle of football season, it will give him something to watch while rocking the baby or changing it's diaper! The last picture is what I see when I look down these days...I haven't been able to see my feet for a while now! I just thought it was a funny view! Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. The baby is getting bigger and continues to be very active. I'm feeling really good these days. I'm back to work and doing great! Please continue to keep us and the baby in your prayers...less than 9 weeks to go!!

30 weeks!

Today marks 30 weeks into my pregnancy...I can't believe it! I'm feeling much better and I'm back at work now. My first day back was yesterday, and I felt pretty good. I had a doctor's appointment last week and everything looks good. The baby continues to be great, active and growing. My doctor hasn't done an ultrasound in a while, so I'm excited to see what the baby looks like and how much it has changed in the last several months. For so long I was over the fact that I didn't know the sex of the baby and I was content with waiting. However, lately I've been so wanting to know what it is!! We're definitely still going to wait though. Also, of note, Jeremy's mom Mary had a baby shower for us up in Erie this past weekend. The funny thing though, is that we weren't there! We told Mary a while back that we weren't going to be able to make it up to Erie before the baby was born because we had so much going on. She said that was fine, but she still wanted to have a shower for us even if we weren't there! So, on Saturday friends and family gathered and had a baby shower in our honor. Mary will be coming down in October and bringing our gifts. It was so sweet of her and we really appreciate it. Please continue to pray for us and the baby's continued health, safety and growth!

Amber's Birthday/1st year Anniversary

This past Monday, September 1st, marked my 27th birthday and our 1 year wedding anniversary!! We originally planned to go out of town for a couple of days, but since I hadn't been feeling that great lately, we figured it would be best to stay around town. It started off with flowers, and cards and some really nice gifts all from Jeremy. I also really wanted a new purse for my birthday, so he took on the daunting task of taking me shopping. Jeremy was very patient as we went to several stores, but I finally found the perfect one : ) After shopping, we went out to lunch and then checked into a hotel. We decided to spend the evening as tourists in our own town and got an oceanfront room for the night. We spent the afternoon hanging at the pool and the beach at the hotel. That night we went out to dinner at this really cool fondue restaurant called The Melting Pot. We really enjoyed ourselves, the chocolate fondue was the best! That night we sat on our balcony and watched the ocean. I've always been very particular about wanting my birthday and anniversary celebrated as two separate events, so this night was pretty much dedicated to my birthday, so we plan on dinner and gifts for our anniversary real soon. Thanks to everyone who left me such sweet birthday messages!

28 weeks!

Hello third trimester...here I come! I have to be honest, I've actually had a rough last couple of weeks. My sugar test came back fine, but my blood test showed I was anemic. So, my doctor ordered me some prescription iron tablets, which completely tore up my stomach!! Since, I wasn't able to tolerate those, I'm taking some over the counter iron supplements that are slow release and they seem to be ok. Also, I've been having a lot of dizzy spells and lightheadedness lately. I had an appointment a few days ago and told my doctor how I was feeling. He sent me for some bloodwork and everything looked pretty good. It could be the hormones and your circulation does a lot of crazy things when you're pregnant. My doctor advised me to continue drinking a lot of water, continue with my iron supplements and eating small frequent meals. He also said I may need to cut back on work. Fortunately, I have a lot of time off accrued, so I'm taking a little bit of time off work until I feel better, then I can be refreshed to make it through my last few weeks before the baby's born. Even though mommy hasn't been feeling well...baby is doing great! Heart beat was nice and strong and the baby continues to be active. I've had some painless tightening in my abdomen, I know my uterus is just practicing for the big day! I can also tell the baby is growing. I'm having some aching on my sides and lower abdomen where my uterus is stretching and I'm feeling the baby move higher up than before. My mom came into town this week which has been great. We're reallly taking advantage of this time and getting our house organized and cleaned out for baby's arrival. We've been cleaning out closets and getting the nursery ready. I'm so thankful for my mom and her excellent organizational skills, she's been a great help! In any case, I know the Lord is giving me strength and the refreshing I need. Please continue to pray for Jeremy and I and the baby as we enter the home stretch!