28.5 Weeks - - Can you believe it?

Well - - we've reached the third trimester, and have had little issues with the pregnancy up to this point. I have had one strained back muscle, which was probably the most miserable experience I have ever had to go through (even more than labor with no meds, if you can believe it?) and I went through one bladder infection, which wasn't as bad because they at least gave me some pain meds for overcoming that! Since it was safe for the little miss. But this last Wednesday I had my most recent visit to the doctor. Of course this little lady has been moving and kicking like crazy, so I didn't have any fears of bad news going in to this appointment, but expected to get an earful about my weight, which I wouldn't blame her for getting on my case about. But I didn't even get any of that. We quickly looked for the heartbeat, and there it was, at a strong 150 bpm as it has remained since her very first monitoring! Occasionally it was a little bit faster, but has always evened out to be about the same pace. The doctor said that she is growing right as she's supposed to, and my prego tummy is exactly where it's supposed to be. So far my blood pressure remains in good standings, which I was worried about because with Ethan, mine started to raise and was pretty cautionary. But this time I'm more mellow I guess! haha... So far no swelling (except an occasional bad night or two) but she is definately treating me a lot better than Ethan did. I think it was because he was so ready to get out and meet these voices he had been hearing that he'd of done anything! The only bad news that we've gotten, is the doctor I have been seeing, and who delivered Ethan, has decided that she is retiring, and will be ending ber OBGYN practice on October 1st. EEEKS! I'm not due until November 14th. So I am in the process of finding a new doctor who will suit my needs for the last month. She did refer me out to the OB next door, whome she says practices very similar to her, so of course I'll be contacting her first! But am very nervous to have to do this so late in the game. But who knows, in the end I'll probably get stuck with some on call doctor anyway (just hoping it's not the guy doctor!). I am hopeful to remain an all natural child birthing mama this time around, so I have to find a doctor who is going to support those desires and needs as well. I have to start going in every two weeks from this point on, and eventually I go down to my weekly appointments. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy is treating me. Eventually I guess I'll have to take some belly shots, but I'm dreading it because I feel like I look HORRIBLE! But I have to have at least one photo to commemerate me as a prego right?!? I'll keep you posted as we draw near to the due date. I'll maybe also write some stories about the Glucose test I am dreading taking in the next week. You never know!

A Nursery DESIGNED for a Princess!

Here is the beginnings of her walls. Allan picked out the colors from a pamphlet we got at Home Depot. They technically were for "High School Musical" - - or Grease 2008 as it should be called. But I think they are lovely! The room started coming together RATHER quickly!
Allan decided that he wanted Madelyn's room to have some "Depth" and so he went with the crown molding, which isn't a "top" choice for me, but I must admit, it looks cute. He also decided that the ceiling would be painted as well, which again I would not make that choice, but this is his room! haha... I took control of Ethan's room and was VERY particular about it, so I am patiently sitting back and only making sure he doesn't make it TOO busy!
The fan looks SO cute. It has since been modified even more, but he's doing wonderful things with adding colors and depth to this room!
And the border... Allan designed it for the most part, I made a few suggestions, and in the end, this is what we have come up with. It looks SO darn cute that I just can't stand it!
And the infamous Allan lightswitch cover! He has a SPECIAL ability to make things look so cute! I am always in awe of how much talent my husband has. We were sitting discussing last night that you know, we don't have a lot of money, we pay our mortgage, we pay our bills, and occasionally we can go do fun things, but in the end, we've been able to BLESS our chidren with awesome rooms, without having a large budget to do so. We're excited to be able to bring her home to this AMAZING sanctuary that was designed JUST for her. Ill have to do a blog on Ethan so you can see the amazing Mickey Mouse room that has since been transformed and is a room that EVERY kid would want! Let me know what you think!

From Beginning to Now!

Well - - I should have started this a long time ago, but it's never too late. As all of you are aware, in March we found out that the latest addition to our family was going to be born. It was such an AMAZING blessing because we weren't sure if I was going to be able to have any more babies. We took all the precautions, and kept me as healthy as possible in the beginning to be able to get to the point that we're at today.

6 MONTHS PREGNANT!!!

It has been a better pregnancy than my last one in so many ways. No swelling yet! With Ethan I started swelling before 6 months, so hopefully I can keep from doing so for the remainder of my pregnancy. I have been able to be home working with this pregnancy which I think has helped me to take better care of myself. I have had amazing family, friends and support to keep me feeling REALLY good about how this pregnancy is going as well! Now the only fears I have (outside of worrying if this labor will be TOTALLY more difficult than the last one!) are if I will be able to successfully breastfeed this time around. But I'm looking in to a good pediatrician who offers support, so hopefully things will work in my favor!

In June we found out that our little baby was going to be a little Miss! How exciting! We're like the all American family! First born son and second born daughter! We were so hopeful for a daughter this time around, because we wanted to be able to have some more girlyness in our household! As soon as we found out, Allan was on a WAR PATH to design the PERFECT room for his little girl. He looked through all kinds of ideas, and finally found the room that was PERFECT for his daughter. We started working on it in July as soon as we had funds to start, and we contine to draw closer and closer to it's completion. It's filled with pinks, yellows, purples, and a few other colors mixed in, and the theme, to top it off and add perfection, is Minnie Mouse!!! As Ethan's room is filled with Mickey Mouse, nothing could have been MORE perfect for her. The room looks GREAT! Allan has done a WONDERFUL job! He truely has a talent for these things, there's no doubt about that!

So far Ethan has taken a liking to the idea of mommy having a baby in her tummy. He talks to her, tells her he loves her, and is more than happy to show EVERYONE where his baby is! I think he's going to be a WONDERFUL big brother. They all start out so wonderful though don't they?!? He sometimes gets confused and tells dad that he has a baby in his tummy too. But we're really trying to make him feel like he's part of this whole thing! And he's shown to be VERY affectionate, caring and loving toward his new sister, so we couldn't ask for anything more!

She's been moving around here and there. I definately feel more movement this time around than I did last. The doctor says her heartbeat is strong, that she's growing right as she's supposed to, and hasn't been commenting on my weight gain, so I must be doing okay! My blood pressure has been really good, and hopefully will remain good throughout the last three months. The only problems I've had have been a strained muscle in my back, and a bladder infection, which was not fun at all! But other than that, she's treating me well so far! I am excited for the next three months to pass, because I'm SO excited to meet this little lady! But I'll take it one day at a time, and enjoy these last few months of pregnancy!

Soon I'll post up some photos of the nursery, and some more stories as they come to me! Until then, just keep us in your prayers!