One week to go!!

Week 39 and ready to go...

LOL So we are absolutely ready for Biz to get here, and actually it's not because I'm uncomfortable which is such a blessing!! I'm still feeling really good and the only time I truly feel huge is when I'm getting in and out of bed hehehe (which I'm sure is pure entertainment for Billy)

We had our checkup this morning and end all be all things are going well. The dr said I looked like I have dropped but I'm still measuring higher so we'll see on that one. I am almost 3 cm dilated and 50% thinned but as you guys know, that could not change for weeks so basically she could come tomorrow or a week from now, who knows! The only kicker is that my blood pressure was a bit high, so they are did some tests on me and I get the lovely pleasure of having to do a 24 hr urine sample.

(side note which might be TMI) Why do they give you a dixie cup to pee in every time you go in for a visit WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING?!?! hello! I haven't been able to have any clue as to what's going on down there for awhile now, so what makes them think I can aim in general, much less into a tiny little cup? oye...

Anywho, even with having to do all that, God provides - I don't have to go into work today so it doesn't affect anyone but me. We'll see what it comes back as, but worse case scenario it's preeclampsia and they induce! The wonderful provision again is that I'm progressing and it's after 37 weeks so the concern is not as great. The planner in me is yet again thinking this could work out beautifully in my limited vision - she comes and we are home in time for Thanksgiving! Yippee! Most importantly though, the One who sees the big picture knows what He's doing and is never early or late, always perfectly on time. In that, there is a beautiful peace that passes all understanding in my heart knowing Biz and I are resting in our Father's loving and perfect care. We'll keep everybody up to date as we know what's going on.

4 weeks to go!

So we're 36 weeks today and we are getting so excited!! It's been established at our house that I am in nesting mode (let me clarify- nesting more than I usually do!! lol) and baby gear is popping up all over the house. We hadn't really set up a ton other than what's in the nursery but now I've been getting things out like the play mats, the diaper bin for downstairs, trying to figure out where the pack and play will go downstairs, etc. Billy informs me too that Christmas gear will be set up soon after this Saturday (let it be known I was game to wait a couple of weeks, but bless my wonderful husband's heart- he wants to make it a low key month for both of us). We're getting geared up for Christmas shopping in the next two weeks as well - I don't think we'll be thinking too much about that kind of thing after she comes!! hehehe I already have the Christmas card envelopes addressed and labeled (just have to get stamps)... pretty sad huh...

 

I've gotten some great advice concerning my last blog (about the epidural concerns and such that I had). Thanks guys, we appreciate it! Now our biggest prayer is getting her head down!! She's been doing flips for last week, head down for a bit then an hour later head and butt sticking out sideways. The dr said that by this Thursday if she hadn't flipped yet then we needed to talk about the next steps we could take. Truth be told we aren't worried about it, God has a handle on whatever happens in the next month! Lucky Guy, even knows what day and time she'll be here!! hehehe Sometimes I wish he'd let me in on that little secret but I suppose that might take some of the fun out of it. Mommy's such a planner... anyway, we'll keep it posted what's going on. Funny thing is, although I have a feeling everything will be just fine, I am totally fine with scheduling a C-section as well (that might be the planner coming out in me...)

 

We got to visit with Billy's side of the family this past weekend and every time we see them I wish we had more time. Carter, our newest nephew whose a couple of weeks old, is so darn cute and looks so much like his brother! I was way proud of Billy who seemed to take to handling a baby a lot more naturally than he has in the past. He's always done well with his other nieces and nephews, but I think he's in baby mode now and took advantage of getting comfy with something he'll be doing a lot more of in just a few short weeks. At one point after a meal I looked around and realized I didn't see Billy or Carter - they had gone in to watch some football and Billy seemed just as comfortable as could be with him! At one point everyone else disappeared outside to go look at my in-laws new camper and we were excited to hang out with lil'C inside. He starts letting something go in his diaper and being way noisy about it, all the while Billy is cracking up! I don't think he's ever heard that before! lol So I suggest we give him a few minutes and (hope against all hope) then Billy might change him... yeah... that was met with "naw, I think you should do it"... I almost had him... oh well. He did proceed to observe and critique ("are you sure you wiped enough? It's not too tight is it?" etc)

 

We spent some great time with friends (Megan and Tim) the weekend prior out at the apple orchard. My family and I have gone to Beasley's Apple Orchard in Danville, IN since I can remember and since Billy has come into the picture, we've continued the tradition with him and plan to with our kiddos as well. We thought we could spend some great time with our friends out there while multi-tasking and having Megan use her amazing gift at photography to take some maternity pics of us. We have a fun history together, going to ISU and both being a part of Cru there, her taking our wedding pics, attending the same church here in Indy, and now we are blessed enough to have her agree to take our prego pics for us. Not only does she have a great business going (megelaine images) but both she and her hubby and some of the sweetest and fun people we know. Billy and Tim kept us laughing the whole time in their efforts to find the biggest and "bestest" pumpkin and peeking in and out of the rows of corn! Since I've been negligent in my photo taking while prego, we now have these fan-shrekin'-tabulous pics that we're so happy to have for us and Lizzie later down the road. 

 

Now I need to go work on her baby book and making sure I have the diaper bag and our hospital bag ready to go and in the car. Oh yeah, and the towel to sit on in the car just in case since I'll be hanging out with Jackson up until she comes... hahaha! This could be interesting...

32 weeks!!

Yesterday marked 32 weeks and boy has time flown!! She's growing fast and running out of room!! I was just thinking last night as we sat on the couch for some down time that it's kind of sad when your stomach becomes a main source of entertainment for the two of you! I'm pretty sure she's head down now, and probably been that way for a couple of weeks (I just didn't recognize some of the signs until they mentioned it at lamaze class). Liz is certainly a hiccup girl (which I feel all down in the pelvic area) and likes to stick her booty out :-) I'll be curious to see if any of that continues after she's born. 

Lamaze has been great, better than I expected it to be. I knew I would learn and it would be helpful, but I had heard stories of ho-hum teachers who talk all about how it was done in the "old days" and/or the focus being on stuff I've already learned from various sources. If you know anyone looking for a good class like this with a good teacher, the Lamaze class taught by Rebecca at St. Vincent is where we are. 

I feel really affirmed in most of our decisions and well informed, the only thing that I'm struggling with now is the epidural. I never thought I'd say that!! LOL Well, maybe, sort of. Basically it comes down to wanting to be able to walk around, get into diff positions and such to help Liz out as much as possible, but obviously can't do that once you get the Epi. Turns out there is such thing as a low dose, or "walking" epidural, but my luck- it's not really offered in the U.S. (or at least in most of it; most important fact of that being not in Indiana). I'd really like to have a vaginal birth, but more often than not you end up with a c-section when you have an epidural. oye!!! So I think Billy and I talked about it and agreed that we will get as far as we can and then take one step at a time. If that includes meds, then so be it. If not, well hey! cool beans! 

Billy did laugh when someone warned him about the potential of me yelling at him during labor, blaming him for all of it :-) He told them that wasn't in my personality to yell at anyone, but then I corrected him...

if I yell at anybody...it'll be Eve...

Bless his heart, I just want to make sure he'll be alright. Don't get me wrong, I do not think he will faint or get sick or anything like that.  For those of you who know him well, you'll see what I mean. I get worried about him being worried about me! lol doesn't make sense sort of but it's hard seeing someone you love in pain and not being able to do much about it. He's that tender soul that I think that will affect more than many I know. 

I know for certain though that I probably won't see anyone happier, more joyful, eyes with tears, etc than him when she actually arrives. He, we both, are so excited for her to join our family and have been saying for awhile now (even before we were preggers) that the house just seems like it needs something more, that it's missing something. God is so good and had blessed us with so much that we had no clue as to what that could possibly be. Now I think we know though... we're waiting for our little girl. We've been waiting to have toys all over the house, messy meals, laughter, tears, questions, loose teeth, crazy schedules, and so much more. 

Our one prayer is this, that we continue to walk in His shadow bringing along with us our Lizzie and anyone else that might come along for the adventure...

Time is flying!!

We just had our 29 week check up on Tuesday and though I knew we were in the home stretch, it was still a bit of a shocker when I sat down and they planned the next handful of visits going every other week and then once a week!! Oh my goodness!! Good news is she is looking great still and a huge blessing - I do not have gestational diabetes!! We didn't figure as much considering my weight so far and all the other signs that weren't there but it is good to know!!

Billy chuckles every time I get up from the couch or in/out of the car. Bless his heart, he says it's cute but I have yet to see how that is "cute." All I can say is that I am looking forward to getting new break pads on the van so I can at least stop the teasing when I get in/out of the cars!! Hopefully we can get them done before we go down to southern Indiana for our second shower; it will be a lot more comfortable if we can. 

Billy got to feel Lizzie hiccup for the first time the other night and was cracking up at it! She gets them pretty frequently, and though funny and sweet now, mommy is not looking forward when Lizzie gets them towards the end of the pregnancy!!! It's hard to believe she's probably over two pounds now and from what we can estimate, probably about 15 in or so long! Hard to tell though unless we get another ultrasound because she's got those long legs she likes to make sure mommy remembers she has! lol 

Billy asks such sweet questions and we get into such fun conversations about how she's growing and developing. When I mentioned a couple weeks back that she was getting the hiccups, he asked how that worked when she's not breathing air and such (good question!). We talked about how she's practicing her lungs with the amniotic  fluid and just were both in awe of the miracle that is happening in me right now. Though science has explained the fundamentals of how conception, growth and birth happen, it simply highlights and displays how much of a miracle it is and how life is beautifully created by the Master Creator!! Liz has one foot in heaven and one here on earth right now...I think that's why I cry anytime I see a birth or newby - almost being able to see the fingerprints of God on that little one. How amazing and awe-inspiring!! The God of the universe, the judge, Lord, creator, sustainer, master, etc is so personally creating and molding a new life inside of me, changing not only that her life is now added to the mix, but Billy and I's response to Him. How better an illustration be made for how He loves us than for us to know the love for our daughter! We can not help but to respond!!! I am in awe of it and pray to listen well the lessons He longs to teach me, so not only can I grow and continue to be molded in to His image but that I may be a part of guiding Lizzie to grow and continue to be molded.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 

~ 1 Jn 3:1

6 months and counting

So we've hit 6 months already and it feels like time is simply flying!! We have our first baby shower this weekend and I am super excited to get to see everyone!! I always have a hard time with these kinds of things though-those who know me well enough know I don't like to be the center of attention. I am so happy though because I found out a few weeks ago that my grandpa from Florida will be coming for a visit this weekend and his traveling companion, who I just love, is coming to the shower!! So fun!! It will be interesting to see how long the guys stay for ;-) though I am completely good with them going and doing their own thing, my mom (with good intentions to want to see her dad as much as she can) would like for them to stay. Let you know how it goes *wink wink*

Lizzie's doing great still. We had a check up last week and she was just movin' and grovin'. It's those long legs I think! When I asked the dr about her moving around a lot, she said something about how I probably wasn't feeling like a punching bag yet. Though true to it's fullest extent, I don't think she anticipated how strong Liz is right now for when she listened to the heartbeat, Liz kicked the mic and my doc laughed and said "oh! I see what you're talking about!" 

We can't wait to meet this little girl. She is already so precious to us, I can't imagine what it will be like to finally get to see what God's been up to. 

I do have an official mommy-mobile now. We weren't even looking for a new car since both of ours are doing just fine (Dave-ramsey-ing it as we call it). It was a total God thing though because on a Monday we found out about a van and decided to look at it the next evening but it sold before we could get there. We figured it just wasn't meant to be, plus we didn't really need it anyway.  We thought we ought to pay attention a bit more when another popped into our radar not 5 day later!! lol we checked it out and decided it was too good to pass up!! I'll post a pic later.

Other than that, life is pretty much "normal" (whatever that means)...

Fun times in the belly!!

So Lizzie's moving around like crazy, which at this point is a lot of fun for mommy, but there was yet another first yesterday. I felt her kick and push on opposite sides of my belly! lol I have to admit it kind of startled me for a minute!! I guess it's those long legs of hers stretching out and she's big enough she finally reaches both sides.

Laughing with Billy the other night because after feeling Lizzie "dance" for a few minutes, when asked what he was thinking (that oh-so-introverted husband of mine), he asked me if I ever felt like there was an alien in my stomach! The whole scene reminded me of the movie Space Balls if you know what I'm talking about. So funny...

Lots of updates!!

As someone pointed out, I need to update!! Life's been crazy as you guys know but of course that's no excuse- I think I just stink at journaling or in this case blogging.

Fun news though- we're having a girl!! Her name is Elizabeth Sarah (Lizzie for now) and apparently from the ultrasound, she'll be a tall girl like her mommy. Her legs are measuring a whole week ahead of schedule!! I forgot to ask the tech how her torso measured in comparison...like I got this mental image for a moment of a young lady with a really short torso and really long legs- kind of like in Toy Story, you know, those crazy toys that next door neighbor messed up? She's certainly got some talent involving her feet though. Sometimes at night I swear she's tap dancing or something!! I have an understanding that this will get worse as time goes by so I'm trying to relish my ability to fall asleep in the midst of her performance at this point in the pregnancy.



Everything else looks great though is what the tech said. It was so fun to watch Billy's reaction- he was just glued to the monitor. So sweet! My parents went with us too and they were a hoot (as usual). I don't think the tech knew quite what to do with them, but I reassured her that most of the time I didn't either. Mom did really well figuring out what certain things were but dad just had a tough time on anything but the obvious stuff. It was neat to share that with them for many reasons but also simply because that ultrasounds though being used at the time my sister and I were born, were not done unless absolutely needed. A lot has changed since then- even the pregnancy test was a mystery to them! Billy and I showed the picture of the preg test when we found out and I think mom was shocked that I was so sure but hadn't gone to the dr yet for the blood test. Apparently that also was not available at that time!

We're 99.9% sure she's a girl too- we got some great shots that made it pretty evident! I kept telling her that this was the one day out of her whole life indecency was acceptable and encouraged!! At first I didn't think she was listening (not the last time in her life I'm sure) and had her legs crossed for about 80% of the time but every so often she would share her secret with us :-)

I did find out something pretty crucial that I can't believe we didn't know before-I'm O-! Growing up my parents always thought my sis and I were A+ like them since they both are but apparently I got a fun recessive gene from both sides!! So I have to get this fun shot before and after birth to keep my body for creating antibodies to the baby's blood. From what I understand, it wouldn't affect this pregnancy but would create issues with future pregs so...fun times!

We do have her nursery painted and the items that we do have, put in and situated. We call it our little Neapolitan room- pink on top, cream strip, and chocolate on the bottom...yummy!! Maybe I'll post a pic of it sometime soon.

Other than all that, life is fairly close to what you might call normal in the Nord household (although, really, define normal). Billy's getting into his new job and is crazy busy which in a lot of ways is a great thing. Frustrating to him though is starting back a few paces on the learning curve. We also seem to be the pet sitting place to be for the summer. It's been a revolving door of dogs and cats, but it keeps us busy and quiets that voice inside both of us that says we should get a dog soon. Next summer (crossing my fingers). You may question this, but Billy is also at the same point here- it's not just me!! He's on restriction from voicing his missing the dog that comes to hang out with us quite a bit. I told him a few days ago that if he said that he missed Stella one more time, I was going down to the humane society and bringing one home!! We'll see how the rest of this year goes with that one...