9 Weeks

Yesterday marked 9 weeks in this pregnancy. I've been meaning to blog for a couple weeks now and the weeks have just gotten away from me! I guess that's good in the first trimester, right?

Since the day I found out, I've been treating this pregnancy as my last. I have told Greg for years that I wanted at least one more because I just didn't get to enjoy Gunnar's infancy as my last becuase he was so close in age to Kylee. I had a 15 month old when he was born, so if he was happy and content in the bouncer, I had to just leave him there.

But the age difference between Hunter and Gunnar is the exact age difference, to the month, that will be between Gunnar and the new baby - 4.5 years. My kids are so much older and independent now that we all will definitely get to enjoy and soak up every bit of this baby!

So anyway, we found out we were pregnant at exactly 5 weeks, on a Tuesday. By Sunday, I was already getting all day nausea. This is definitely the earliest morning sickness has reared its ugly head. By the next week, I was throwing up multiple times a day, which is typical for my first trimesters. Oddly enough though, even when I lost 15 pounds in my first trimester with Gunnar, they never gave me anything for my nausea. About 1.5 weeks ago, around 7.5 weeks, I called the doctor's office and asked if they could see me to give me medicine because I just couldn't function enough to care for myself, let alone my 3 kids.

They got me in the very next day and gave me this glorious stuff called "Diclegis." It's half b6, half unisom. Of course it has its side effects, including drowsiness, so that means I have to take it at night. I take 2 nightly, and have been for almost a week now, every night. If I miss a day, it's almost like I need to build it back in my system again. It is causing constipation (keepin' it real, here, folks!) So I've had to be diligent with taking in coconut oil and stuff to combat it. The medicine definitely keeps me from throwing up (for the most part) but I still get a stomach ache after eating. I have found that carbs (bagels, bread, potatoes, etc) sit really well with a pretty mild stomach ache. So if I gain 10 pounds this trimester, there will be no question why! Currently though, I'm actually a pound or two under prepregnancy weight.

I have hopes that the morning sickness will end earlier since it started earlier, but time will tell. I have actually felt decent yesterday and today which has been nice so that I can get things done, but at the same time, I of course worry that something might be wrong. My first real appointment is next Wednesday, and they'll try to listen for the heartbeat and everything, so hoping I get to hear that sweet sound!

I definitely have a belly. And some may just go with it and say to show it off being that it's my 4th pregnancy. And some days I do. I'm sure it's mostly bloat because the baby is only the size of a grape, but I definitely do believe  you show faster with each one because your body is like, "oh hey, I remember this!" I won't be posting belly pics for a few more weeks though.

Here are links to my other 9 week pregnancies from my last 2 children if you're interested in comparing...

2nd baby: http://wehrmans.blogspot.com/2010/07/lots-of-weeks.html

3rd baby: http://wehrmans.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-blessing.html

I guess there isn't much to compare for 9 weeks. I'll post other links though as I get further along. First trimesters are always really rough for me and I have a hard time blogging.

37 Weeks

I HAVE GOOD NEWS!

As of yesterday, I am officially full term! And I had my 37 week appointment today so I waited until after that to blog.

My doctor examined me and informed me that I am 2-3 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced! When he told me the news I exclaimed, "Oh, praise God!" I can't tell you how afraid I was that I wasn't dilated at all. I never dilated with Hunter until they finally induced at 41 weeks and I was so afraid of reliving that nightmare. But, my body seems to be doing a good job of working towards getting baby out this time around!

He also said that my weight gain is perfect at 27 lbs, and my belly measured 36 centimeters (normal is 1 centimeter per how many weeks pregnant) so I'm actually slightly under with the size. But he said because of Hunter's size (10lbs 8 oz) at birth, he doesn't want to let me go to 41 weeks, but he can't induce me before 39 weeks unless absolutely medically necessary. So, that means at my appointment next Wednesday, we will be scheduling my induction for the following week and Greg and I will have our baby girl in no more than two weeks! YAY! I can't tell you how excited I am! The house is totally ready to go, and I am ready to meet her!

I would LOVE if I went naturally before then, but only time will tell. I've been crampy all afternoon though, so we'll see! :)

36 Weeks

I cant believe I'm 36 weeks! My sister had her firstborn at 36 weeks. That excites me! I obviously want a healthy baby even if that means waiting a few more weeks but it's a nice thought that people have babies at 36 weeks who ARE perfectly healthy. I'm so close to meeting her!

My nesting has continued, and continued to be ridiculous. I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say this house is super clean, including all our lightswitches. Greg has been super sweet with helping too. He vacuumed AND scrubbed the shower for me this weekend.

I haven't been sleeping well lately. My insomnia is terrible. I remember this with Hunter too but this time it's harder because I have a toddler that wakes me up at 7am every morning. Id love a good night's rest now.

Everything is pretty much ready for her, aside from my hospital bag. I have yet to pack that, but I think I'll do it tomorrow. We even took down the Christmas tree and replaced it with the baby swing. I love looking in the corner of the living room and seeing it there. :)

I've been getting actual real contractions lately! They're totally sporadic, not very frequent, and really mild, but they're a start! I hope they continue to increase in intensity and frequency. (Oh boy, I'm sure I'll regret saying that very soon.)

Here's this week's belly pics:

I don't know if she's dropped yet. I don't think Hunter ever did to know what to expect. All I DO know is that suddenly, I'm up 3 times a night to pee, and it wasn't that way last week.
And as requested by my mom, a front facing photo. I'm laughing because my husband had just called my belly a torpedo.

Thankfully, I'm still stretch mark free! Unfortunately, Hunter already ruined my belly with stretch marks. I guess I won't complain though. At least baby girl hasn't given me anymore! (And I hope to keep it that way!)

Lists

Things That Were Sterilized in My House Today

1. Baby car seat
2. Car seat base
3. Baby swing
4. Every inch of our two toilets
5. Single and double stroller
6. All sponges in my house

Things That Were Sterilized AND Scrubbed with a Scrub Brush and/or Toothbrush

1. Hunter's potty
2. Hunter's step stool
3. Scale
4. Bathroom floors
5. Bathroom baseboards
6. Tiled area by front door
7. Front door and frame

People That Think I'm Crazy

1. Greg
2. Hunter
3. My dog
4. (Insert your name here)

34 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe I could have baby girl in 3 weeks and she'd be full term! I'm SO excited!

I have been buying things left and right from eBay for her. I have my "Items Needed for Baby Girl" list that is getting shorter (although I also keep thinking of things to add to it too...) I'm trying to buy everything the most inexpensive way and my bargain shopping is paying off and saving us money! I am in full nesting mode as far as her room and supplies go. I need to buy everything on that list, and I need to do it NOW.

I also had a lady from church with 4 girls let me go through her baby stuff and borrow what I wanted. That also saved us lots of money. Thank you, MaryLynn!

I'm praying it's God's way of preparing Hunter for her arrival, but he has wanted NOTHING to do with me the past few weeks. He is ALL about daddy right now. Even when I go and hug and kiss Greg, Hunter wedges his way in between us and has even placed his hand over Greg's mouth so I can't kiss him, and he's told me to go away. I'm trying not to take it personally, and hoping the extra-strong bond between them will help with the transition of gaining a new sister. Has anyone else experienced anything like this with the older sibling though?

33 Weeks

I am tired. Read it, T-I-R-E-D. All of the work I've been putting into the room is really taking its toll since I have a big belly in the way. Being tired is also why I have on a green outfit with pink socks. It's hard enough getting the socks on by myself, don't make me match them to my outfit too.

I haven't been bitten by the cleaning nesting bug yet, but I wouldn't mind it. I could use motivation to deep clean because, again, I'm tired!

As far as my progress in pregnancy goes, tomorrow is the equivalency of when Greg came home from Iraq when I was pregnant with Hunter. I can't believe how much he missed with him. I'm so thankful he was here for this one though. And I know he loves when I pull his hand on my stomach and make him leave it there so he can feel her move. And I won't let him pull his hand away for anywhere from 5-90 minutes. He loves it; I know he does. ;)

That's all, I think.

Excuse me while I go eat mint chocolate cookies...and please, don't tell my doctor.