Mommy Mondays Week 37

Wow what a week! It surely started off with a bang. Last Sunday I was having Braxton Hicks contractions about 10 minutes apart for a few hours before bed. I didn't think much of it since I was dehydrated from throwing up earlier in the day. Monday morning was my last day of work, and in the car the contractions were about six minutes apart and my back was starting to ache. I called the doctor and they said to go to labor and delivery just to be sure. My husband came and picked me up, since the contractions were a little uncomfortable at that point and pretty close together. We got to triage and I instantly felt like a crazy first time mom. I just kept telling my husband I'm probably not even having contractions and I'm just being paranoid. The nurse hooked me up to the fetal monitor, and the baby was doing just fine. Turns out I was actually having contractions about three minutes apart at that point, although they weren't too uncomfortable. She checked my cervix and to my surprise I was already 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. 

I was shocked, I really thought I was being crazy. They told me I'll probably just have the baby early but since I wasn't in pain I could go home. I had an appointment with my OB on Tuesday morning, and he said I was 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated. At this point the contractions were uncomfortable. I could feel menstrual-like cramps and back pain with each contraction, but I still felt fine. We went to L&D again at the request of my OB just to make sure I wasn't progressing too quickly. After an hour on the monitor contractions were about seven minutes apart but I was still at 3 cm, so they said I could go ahead and labor at home. Then Tuesday night it basically stopped. The contractions slowed to maybe one an hour and I felt fine. Since then I've been having contractions here and there, but nothing worth timing. It's tough because Monday we thought we'd have the baby within a few days. We packed our hospital bags, put the car seat in the car, and were ready to go! Now a week later we're still waiting on baby girl to make her grand entrance. I know she'll come "when she's ready" as everyone keeps telling me, because what else do you say? It's frustrating, I'm ready to hold my baby. I hope she comes soon! For now, hubby and I are going about business as usual! Trying to stay busy.

Mommy Mondays Week 36

Oddly enough week 36 wasn't too crazy or eventful in terms of my pregnancy. Overall it was a rough week. After a long battle with cancer my uncle passed away on Friday January 10th, he was 49 years old. He was my favorite uncle and seeing him struggle has been difficult over the past year and a half. Today was the service to honor his life, and it was absolutely beautiful. I didn't know if I would be able to make it today, due to a little labor scare. 

I can write more about it in next weeks pregnancy update, since it just started on Monday. Basically I made it an hour and half at work on my last day before I had to go to L&D. My contractions were 4 minutes apart, they weren't particularly painful but I wasn't feeling too great. Turns out I was 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. Since then we've been back to L&D once more per my doctors request, but things have slowed way down. For now baby is still cooking away but now we're anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Mommy Mondays Week 35

This past week marked the start of my modified work hours! I still worked two regular days, but as of the 2nd I am down to just 5 hours at a time. It's a huge relief, because after working my 5 hours I went to the doctor, then CVS to get a prescription, and I was completely exhausted by the time I got home. This baby girl is getting big, and man can I feel it. Every day it's new aches and pains. Frequent Braxton Hicks, and the sensation that she is just going to fall right out. Getting up is actually painful at this point. 

I was looking forward to NYE with my family, and I ended up laying on the couch all night (after a 2 hour nap) because I was just so unbelievably uncomfortable. I can't believe she will be here in just about a month, we really need to finish up the nursery! I know once she's here I'm just going to want to relax and sleep whenever I can and not fuss over the apartment.

Thick and Savory Beef Stew

This recipe was completely inspired by my mom. I went over to my parents for dinner and my mom used left over pot roast and gravy she had made to make a beef stew. It was the best stew I'd ever had, I was pretty sure it was because of the gravy. And I was right, the gravy makes a world of difference. I don't know why I never thought to try it that way, but it works so well. It's thick and very beefy, but overall about the same nutrition as using plain beef or chicken broth. You can fancy this up with additional spices and fresh herbs, but this is a great basic stew recipe.

Small disclaimer, hideous picture quality! This was probably day 3 of the stew, I had been getting home from work after day. So instead of having time to take a good photo when it was hot and fresh, I just snapped a quick picture at work with my phone so I could post this recipe!

Mommy Mondays Week 34

Well we're officially moving at warp speed! I remember asking my husband what felt like months ago when we should get the car seat base in the car "just in case," and we agreed to do it at 35 weeks. That's next week! How is this possible? Her nursery is really coming together. My dad refinished a dresser that was my husbands when he was little, and all we're waiting on is the glider to be delivered. Then I'm ready to decorate! I can't wait to share. I was thinking in addition to pictures I could put a vlog up on YouTube to give you a better feel about the space and layout of the room.

I'm definitely feeling very pregnant these days. My feet swell from work, my stomach is so sore at the end of the day from all the Braxton Hicks that I feel like I've done 10,000 crunches, and I'm pretty sure I waddle. I've been noticing a lot of pressure down below, but nothing out of the ordinary from what friends tell me. I had my 3 hour glucose test about a week and a half ago and my doctors office never called me about it, so I'm assuming all is well. Which is great! I can eat sweets again haha! I don't know why, but I have this feeling the baby might come before her due date. Maybe it's the pressure, the what feels like constant Braxton Hicks, and the fact that she's been head down for so long. Everyone says first babies take forever, both in terms of how long you're pregnant and how long you're in labor. I will just keep hoping and praying it all goes smoothly. 

Mommy Mondays Week 33

I can't believe I'll be full term in only four weeks! That's just insane. I remember being so anxious to make it past the first trimester, I feel like it was just yesterday. Now we're getting closer and closer to baby actually being here. I feel like I have no time, that I'm not prepared and never will be because there isn't enough time! Our Christmas tree has no presents under it, I never even put out the nativity scene, and I haven't baked a single cookie. This hasn't been the merriest of holidays, but I'm looking forward to having Christmas day off and New Years day too. 

Once it's January I'll be on a modified work schedule until I'm out on maternity leave. So luckily I'll just be working five hour days, which is really exciting! I won't have to work long enough to take a lunch break, I won't have to sit in traffic to and from work, and hopefully it will help keep the swelling down. I got home from work Friday and I was in so much pain I couldn't even bend to take off my shoes or pants to get into pi's. My hubby had to help me, and then he pointed out my legs. They looked awful. I had a massive indent where my socks were and my feet looked really chubby. Guess it's time to slow down, my body is starting to get pissed at me.

Orange and Parsley Chicken Cutlets with Arugula

I saw this recipe on Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals and just had to recreate it, in a low carb way of course! I subbed the flour for coconut flour and used flax meal and Parmesan cheese instead of regular bread crumbs. It was so delicious but quite a large meal for one person. I definitely think this is great for when you're starving, or you can share it with someone else and add some extra veggies.

Mommy Mondays Week 32

Health-wise week 32 was much better than week 31. In terms of my mental health, wasn't the best. I must have cried at my desk twice a day for the first few days during the week. There is a lot of stress in my life right now. Family members who are ill, my aunt recently passed away, and my work is unable to do anything about shortening my hours. So it's been hard. I'm just taking it one day at a time, trying to get through these next four weeks. Then I will officially be on maternity leave and eligible to collect disability from the state, since I don't have vacation or sick time through my job. I can't wait until those couple weeks before Isla is here to just spend time with the hubby, before we officially become a family. It's so exciting! I can't wait to be a mommy.

(sorry for the poor pic quality; bad lighting and a dirty lens! oops!)

Mommy Mondays Week 31

Well, week 31 was really interesting. For the most part it really sucked. My stomach seemed a little off Monday night, but nothing major at least not when you're pregnant. Woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I had been hit by a bus. My head was killing me, my stomach felt funny, and I couldn't even finish my oatmeal. I took a sip of coffee and immediately pushed it aside. I knew something was up, but I had no idea what the rest of the week was going to be like. A few hours later it was the full on stomach flu. I couldn't even keep water down, I had a fever and sleeping that night was difficult from the chills and night sweats. The next morning my hubby came home and took me to urgent care. I needed IV fluids and a prescription for Zofran to help with the nausea so I could eat a little. My pulse was a whopping 134, man was I dehydrated. 

The next day I had to work, even though I had a doctors note to rest for three days. Another girl was out sick, and the other on vacation. There was no one to work, so I went in and worked 11:30-8 pm. It was the absolute worst day. Friday I was finally feeling better and could eat a little, and hubby and I did some baby shopping. First Target, then Ikea that night. I felt like I was going to die. The weight of the baby is really starting to affect my body. Everything aches, and just walking around Target feels like running a marathon. I think I'm officially too big to shop. And if being sick for three days followed by an insane amount of shopping wasn't enough, I spent all of Saturday and Sunday nesting. I put together her changing table and crib, reorganized everything, cut off all the tags from the clothes we got at the shower, put books away, organized the closet, the list goes on. Thank goodness for the nesting instinct, otherwise I don't think I'd get anything done. Probably ever. 

On another random note, I've gained about 26 lbs at this point. I was really determined to be one of those awesome pregnant ladies who was "all belly" and didn't have the thicker thighs and double chin I'm currently experiencing. I'm a little disappointed in myself, the second trimester I just really piled on the weight. I guess for my next pregnancy I'll really watch my overall calories and salt more closely, since it didn't go so well this time around. I'm hoping to get back to my pre-prego size with ease from a lot of walking and breastfeeding once she's here!

Mommy Mondays Week 30

Wow we are officially in the 30's! I think that means time is about to move even faster than it has been. I can't believe my shower is behind me, and Thanksgiving too! That means Christmas is next, then New Years, then a baby! This past week was one of my favorites. I got to spend time with my family (my sister and her boyfriend came down from LA to visit), and I had time with my in laws as well! Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had lunch at my mother in laws, and then dinner at my parents. The boys played video games, and the girls chatted. I honestly wish I could have a do-over of the whole week. I miss having family around all the time. My sister felt Isla kick the night of my baby shower, that was so amazing to experience with her. She's very excited to become an auntie!

(downside to an early sunset is horrible quality pics once I'm home from work, sorry!)