Braxton Hicks Contractions

Conclusions?  Not a big fan.  I know they help prepare the uterus for labor, but I'm definitely not throwing them parties anytime soon.  Oh uterine cramping.  It's been so long since I've felt you, and I've got to say: absence has not made this heart grow fonder.

Leg Cramps & Remy in Triage?

After attending a three-hour routine birth procedures class at our hospital last night, I was plagued with dreams about going into labor and having to spend endless hours in an overcrowded triage laying on shaky bunk beds with bandaged-up people trying to watch the Royal Wedding on TV.  Thrown into that interesting mix of circumstances was Remy squawking like a turkey because Adam was holding him up like a hanging peking duck and refusing to hear my pleas for him to take the pug home.  And on top of that, was my realization that we forgot to tell people we were in the hospital and that Ashley (our pug point person, or P.P.P. for when the "big day" comes around) wasn't contacted and poor Mia had been locked up in her crate for 16 hours straight.  Let's just say, if she could bark swear words, she'd be a sailor.  Oh, and I was having contractions and no one would help me breathe through them because everyone else was having babies except for me.  Yes, they say pregnancy can bring about weird and vivid dreams.  Yes, I tend to have weird and vivid dreams regardless of my pregnant state.  But seriously?  It was an stressful night's sleep, even for me.

Then, THEN, I woke up with a leg cramp.  I've only had a handful since being pregnant, and none at all before I was knocked up.  So I'm not used to dealing with the painful spasms in the middle of the night and tend to turn into a giant baby when they happen.  Last night's leg cramp wouldn't subside, even as I tried to stretch and flex my foot.  Eventually, my heavy breathing and whimpering woke Adam up and as he tried to get me to stand up, I basically started squawking like a turkey (apparently it runs in the family) as the pain just escalated.  After about 15 seconds of Adam holding me and trying not to freak out at my irrational reaction to the situation, I walked it off and then realized, OMG I'm a wuss!  I have to go into labor in a few weeks, and birth a watermelon with arms and legs, and I was just howling at a leg cramp!  So now I'm slightly unnerved about what this whole birthing process will be like for me.  And this is after having a conversation with Ashley, post-birthing class, about how I totally don't want an epidural or pain medication.  Funny how circumstances manifest that remind you that maybe making broad, sweeping statements like that isn't a good idea.

Representing the Pacific Northwest!

I want to preface this post with the fact that our baby has been showered with love, especially lately with all the wonderful gifts she's been receiving.  We are so appreciative of everyone's generosity and are thankful that so many people can join in our celebration of this new life coming into the world.  Our cup overflows!

That said, here is (according to Adam) what is probably the most exciting gift that our baby could possibly receive.  Thanks, Freilinger family (Jason, Cyndee, Chloee & Lucee)!  You know these items will be put to good use!

I got excited about a stroller and car seat.  Adam?  It's all about the Seattle sports gear, of course!

Then and Now

Adam was called in for jury duty today, so I met him for lunch in Pasadena.  He had some time to spare after we ate so we strolled around City Hall on this beautiful spring day.  We came upon the site where we took our wedding pictures three-and-a-half years ago.  It definitely brought back memories of a very happy day in our lives.  So we decided to take a picture of me with our baby in the exact spot we took one of my favorite wedding pictures.  (You'll have to excuse the quality discrepancy.  The iPhone is no match for the camera our photographer used.)

Adam + Yassie on November 24, 2007

Yassie + Bump on April 25, 2011

An Abundance of Love

Happy Easter!

We had quite an eventful weekend celebrating life manifested in so many ways.  First off, on Friday we went to Good Friday mass in the afternoon with our good friend Louie.  It's always humbling to be reminded of the suffering Christ went through in His love for us.  It was a really nice mass, even though the little one inside of me was making it difficult to stand and sit through the longer service.

Next, Adam's mother threw us a lovely little "family shower" with the help of Ashley and some family and friends.  It was really special to be in the company of all these women who have had families of their own and be reminded of life brought forth generation after generation.  We received some really nice gifts and blessings, and definitely continued to feel showered with love.  Thank you so much to all of you who attended and your generosity in celebrating with us!

Lastly, we had a low-key Easter (I'm going to save the Easter egg hunts and brunches for when our daughter is here to experience them first hand) with some of Adam's family from Washington.  All in all, it was a nice weekend in which we got to spend time together as a couple, sharing in the company of people who continue to bless us every day.  Easter reminded us that God's love lives through Jesus' resurrection.  As we prepare to bring this little life into this world we know that everything comes from Christ's love for us.

Cute As a Button, Sweet As Can Be: A Baby Shower

Doctor's Visit

I had my 32 week OB appointment yesterday and am happy to report that all is going along well.  After the little scare I had last week, I was relieved to find out that I only gained 1 lb. since my last visit two weeks ago, which puts me right on target.  That said, our scale at home is getting tossed out the window after a very stern talking to for freaking me out with its inaccurate reading.  My blood pressure was slightly elevated, but my doctor wasn't too concerned.  We had a good conversation about what would happen if I did develop preeclampsia (both now before the 35 week mark and later when I'm considered "full term") and I feel much more prepared for what to expect and confident that we will be okay regardless of what happens.  Still, as of now, things are going along swimmingly and I'm trying to relax and enjoy the time we have left with just the two of us (plus pugs) in our family.  Taking nothing about this pregnancy for granted, I am truly grateful for every day she is healthy and growing in my belly.

Lullabies

When I was an elementary school teacher, Adam would sometimes accompany me to shop for teaching supplies.  He always dreaded walking into Lakeshore and having to hear kids' songs play for the entire hour or so I was there shopping.  I explained to him that a lot of those songs and nursery rhymes were good for childhood development of language skills, but even then, he's wary of the sugary sweet, overly enthusiastic adults singing about numbers and sheep.  So when I mentioned buying some music for our baby to listen to, there were some raised eye brows (and maybe a pantomimed shotgun inserted into the mouth).  Then I found these from Rockabye Baby!.  There are no lyrics (and they're not really in the genre of kids' music), but we love that we can listen to them even when the baby isn't around.  We think this will be perfect for her to drift off to sleep to.  If anything, they tend to calm the pugs.

Sneak Peak

A little project I'm working on!  (Besides the one growing in my belly.)

Mangos

Fruit has been a huge staple of my diet this pregnancy.  Knowing that, my mom brought over a case of mini mangos.  I usually love the kidney-shaped mangos (because of their intense flavor), but these are just a tease.  It takes 5-6 mangos to be satisfied, but they're cute nonetheless.

You can't tell here, but they're about the size of a fingerling potato.  Well, a large, plump fingerling potato.

Trial Runs

We decided to give my new baby carrier a test run, so of course Remy was volunteered to be the guinea pig.  Auntie Ashley carried him around while we set up the closet system in the baby's room.  He looks snug as a pug in a rug, no?

After much research and consideration, I decided to get the Babyhawk Mei Tai carrier.  Loving it (and the customization options) so far.

We also made him try out a bib.  He's having a hoot!

Thanks to Remy's help, both items were deemed effective for the baby.  They just needed a good wash afterward!

Nesting

So this is nesting.  Go figure that I was born to nest.  I mean, I've had almost 30 years of nesting experience.  Preparing for the arrival of our baby has given me free reign to shop, organize and decorate a room.  I want to say that it's the pregnancy hormones motivating me to have everything in place and ready for her arrival, but really it's no different than how I usually am on a day to day basis.  I am loving it nonetheless.  Adam put her closet shelving system up yesterday, clothes are washed and hung, and the furniture should arrive tomorrow morning.  I am so excited to put this nursery together and await the arrival of our daughter to fill it with memories and love.  I will definitely post pictures of the completed project.  Less than 9 weeks to go if she makes a timely appearance.  I'm definitely eager with anticipation!

April Showers Bring June Babies!

Here's a sneak peak at the beautiful shower my sisters-in-law, Ashley & Kathie, threw for me and our baby yesterday.  It was simply perfect!  Thank you ladies SO much for all your hard work and planning!

The "Cute As A Button, Sweet As Can Be" theme was manifested through a backyard picnic.

Hand-sewn decorations.

Guess the celebrity baby picture.

Button sugar cookies.

Prayer

I had a bit of a freak out a couple nights ago because I weighed myself and saw a significant weight gain (too much in one week), which can be a symptom of preeclampsia.  In my worry, I go online to look up more information of what to expect with pre-e and end up freaking myself out.  There were tears and worries and what-ifs.  I was just hit with the realization that if I develop pre-e and it's serious enough, I would have to deliver our baby early.  And the idea of having a preemie just felt daunting and overwhelming and I kept thinking, "We don't even have a crib yet!"  Thank God Adam is able to be calm and level-headed when I can't be, and he assured me that no matter what we would be fine.  I called my OB the next morning, and he assured me that since I had no other symptoms I was ok and didn't need to go in.  I have an appointment with him next week anyway, so he said that as long as I still feel well and no other symptoms develop that I can wait until then to see him, which really helped calm my worries.

Yet again I am learning how precious life is and how we can't take a single day of good health for granted.  I need her to stay healthy and keep growing and am just praying that we make it to 38 weeks and I'll be happy.  As for now, I just need to stay relaxed and keep my blood pressure stable.  So I treated myself to a mani-pedi today and have started the real shopping for baby stuff (just in case she decides to make an early appearance).  We've been staying prayerful that I don't develop pre-e, and that in the event that I do, we will be prepared.  I hate feeling so fragile all the time, but faith keeps us grounded and we just have to trust that everything will be okay.

Check Up

We had another OB/Ultrasound appointment and were happy to hear all is going along well.  Our little girl is developing on target and we are eagerly counting down the days until we can meet her in person.  We've had a lot of opportunities to see her via ultrasound because of a high PAPP-A protein found in my urine early on in my pregnancy and a notched placenta that has caused some concern.  So my OB is seeing me more often to monitor the baby's fetal growth.  It's a little worrisome, but I feel like I'm in good hands with good doctors and a knowledgeable and attentive doula.  We just keep praying that she will stay in there and develop and grow and that I don't develop preeclampsia before she is ready to come out.

We were very glad to find that she has flipped and is now in position to be birthed.  Hopefully she will stay put until we are due.  She has been moving around A LOT and we came to find out that it's her little booty that has been making my belly go nuts.  I don't know how we feel about that--a booty-shaking daughter.  Let the worrying begin!

Here she is at 30 weeks 2 days.  She had her face covered for most of the ultrasound until the doctor literally shook her awake.  She wasn't too happy about the rude awakening.

Bath Time!

All the Pregnant Ladies...

We attended an all-day child birthing class on Saturday and were pleasantly surprised by how informative it was.  We definitely feel more prepared for the "Big Event" and I am more confident in being able to have our baby naturally and unmedicated.  I know that ultimately the baby will come the way she wants to come and I have very little control over the entire thing.  Obviously our highest priority is her health and safe delivery, but I do feel very strongly about laboring and delivering as God created our bodies to do.  (But then again, ask me when I'm in the middle of a contraction 20+ hours into labor and barely progressing and I may say God blessed us with scientific progress for a reason!)

The class was taught through the hospital we are giving birth at, and we really enjoyed the instructor who is a lactation consultant and doula.  There were about 20 couples, which means my anxiousness about being around so many pregnant bellies resurfaced the minute we walked into the room.  Still, it was a worthwhile experience and some highlights from the (long) day were:

• Not feeling like a giant balloon compared to the other women.  I know it's bad to compare because every woman's pregnancy is different, but I've been feeling like a giant jelly bean lately, and it was comforting to know that I'm not THAT big (yet).
• The instructor's excellent analogy of how the cervix grows--from the size of a cheerio to a Ritz bit, to a Ritz cracker, to a rice cake--even if we can no longer eat those snack foods again.
• The men learning how to properly massage a woman in labor.  (And warnings to them to not just ask "How are you doing?" while trying to help the woman through the pain.)
• Adam breathing like Mia (the pug) when instructed to practice groaning as a method for dealing with contraction pain.
• Adam quietly singing "All the pregnant ladies, all the pregnant ladies, put your bumps up!" to the tune of "Single Ladies" while we were doing different exercises.